Here are the great books I read in December that were four stars and higher. Click on the book titles for the Amazon link.
Please note my fun news after the reviews!
Endangered Species (Savage Land #1)
I have been eager to read “Endangered Species.” The story continues focusing on the Neanderthals who are called the People and the Tall Ones who are the homo sapiens. Their lives are about daily survival and hunting, but nature plays a powerful role in this story as they face another challenge. Yu’ung, the healer’s daughter, is a young female in the People. She has been trained to be a hunter, heal, and lead. She has unique abilities to see and read the landscape better than anyone else, but she also gets visions guiding her. Shandar is a young male who doesn’t fit in, but he also gets visions and learns of his life’s path. I love that we are revisited by a favorite character from the past, Xhosa in these visions, along with some favorite canis. Shander and his canis pack’s quest is to find and save Yu’ung and her group while Yu’ung’s is to become the alpha or leader as nature changes their world. The setting is rich and detailed and I can imagine this world from 75000 years ago. It was good to see them cooking now over how their ancestors, like Xhosa, ate their food raw. Told through mainly Yu’ung and Shander’s POV, we do see the world through Yu’ung’s mother the healer’s eyes, and nature’s too. Yu’ung is a character I quickly fell in love with and was rooting for her and her group. I kept urging them to move on as their situation became more dire. A mesmerizing story based on well-researched history that I had a hard time putting down. I read it in two sittings. It is a gift when you can learn as well as be entertained. I highly recommend this and can’t wait for the next story in the series!
By Ivy Logan
Something has happened to Nina’s daughter, Sophie. I had some guesses about what that could have been but ended up being wrong. The story quickly dove into the past, leading to Nina’s current fears. This is told through Sophie’s diary and Nina’s introspection until Sophie’s narration. Nina had an unsuccessful youthful marriage but found her way in writing books and raising her beloved daughter. They were very close since her ex was no longer in the picture until the bullying began at school for Sophie. She seemed unable to get past it even with her best friend, Nick’s support. This story hooked me from the first page, and I read it in one sitting just to find out what happened to Sophie. While tackling some deep subjects like bullying and its psychological effects, it also dove into family, friendship, and a mother’s love. Unexpected events followed Nina’s well-intentioned efforts. A well-written story that I can highly recommend!
Erith is half human and half charmed/magical and lives in between worlds. She has replaced her deceased mother as The Seasons’ Weaver and has been given the burden of weaving the next season into existence. On the eve of spring, she takes a tapestry into the charmed land. Instead of it being a simple process of changing winter into spring, the King of Winter refuses to allow the change. He insists she continues his season by only weaving winter, but the human world can’t survive if spring doesn’t come. Unprepared for this magical world, she is at a loss on how to fight for what she knows needs to be done. I could easily empathize with Erith as the odds seemed stacked against her, but she didn’t completely give up, either. The relationship between Erith and Autumn’s Prince was easy to root for and the attraction was immediate. The setting was lush and vividly painted, drawing me into both worlds, one of humans and one of magic. In a place where Erith must learn who to trust, she also must trust herself. That is one of my favorite parts as she learns who she is and her place in the world. I recommend this well-written fantasy that had me hooked, eager to discover what would unfold next.
A Christmas Homecoming: A Short Story
Mary has lost her beloved adoptive parents. After spending a year with her cold grandmother, she inherits not only her parents’ money but an address for her birth parents. Having nothing to lose, she hops on a plane to Miami at Christmas. She was told they wanted her to meet them when she turned eighteen but started second-guessing that. What if things had changed? Mary goes from the only home she’s known to a bright, warm world, and a culture she knows nothing about. I love how open she is to meeting her birth parents, but simultaneously giving her chosen parents all the love they deserve for giving her a good life. Each step of her journey she reflects on her past and possible future. Although a fast read, I was involved with Mary’s quest and felt the emotions with her. I can highly recommend this beautiful short story for the holiday season, or anytime, that shows the strength and bond of love and family.
NOTE: Next week I’ll be sharing my Creative Perspective Challenge. It’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a while. There will be an image to inspire you to write flash fiction or poetry. I’d like to keep the word count under 1000 words, but if it goes over no worries, sometimes the story decides for us. The following week I’ll post all the links of those who participated. To start off it will be once a month, the week following my Book Reviews. More information next week!
Embrace your inner child in 2025 and read a good story! D. L. Finn