Goodbye, Rudy Kazoody by A.A. Freda
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A well crafted coming of age story...

Whatever flaws we might identify or frustrations we might feel are trivial in comparison to a reader's pure joy in losing himself/herself in a narrative. When all the elements come together: an intriguing plot, thoughtful, profound themes, complex, troubling, characters, and language that make us shudder for its honesty, clarity, and confidence; we gratefully set all analysis aside and give ourselves up to the sheer magic of a great book. And for me, Goodbye, Rudy Kazoody is such a book.

Goodbye, Rudy Kazoody is a well crafted coming of age novel. And I would imagine that fans of this genre will love having a nibble on this one! This is my first time reading this author and I must say I was very impressed.

The story had every element a good story should have. A stimulating plot, attention to detail, but best of all fleshed out, well-written and well-rounded character development. There’s an abundance of well illustrated scenes that really make you feel like you are right there in the story, and that's something I look for in a good book.

This captivating and commendable work had me immersed from the beginning. The story flows from scene to scene with ease, and the author shows exceptional skill when it comes to storytelling. You will be guided through the chapters in this story with the feeling that there is something big about to transpire. Also, if you are fond of the “remember when life was good” stories about childhood friends, then you’ll get enjoyment from this book for its youthfulness and nostalgia.

It’s one of those stories that come along once in awhile that makes you want to read it non-stop until you get to the end. I’m giving nothing further away here. And this, I hope, will only add to the mystery and enjoyment for the reader!

I’ll certainly be looking forward to reading more from A.A. Freda in the future! I would definitely recommend this book! Five stars from me.


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I Love You My Child, I'm Abandoning You: Holocaust book memoirs by Ariela Palacz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An emotional, heartrending and poignant story...

I have read many books about this horrible time in history and my heart breaks each time I read someone else’s experiences. The author writes in a way that makes you feel that you are right there with her and feeling every emotion that she is feeling. How she was able to go through all that she did and still has a strong will to make the best of life just astonishes me. She lost her family and I can’t even begin to imagine what that would be like. She is definitely an inspiration to me and I thank her for writing this book so that the horrors of the holocaust will never be forgotten. What makes this story so powerful is that it is written from a child’s perspective during the Second World War. We usually think of only adults when it comes to history’s atrocities, overlooking those who suffer and are damaged the most...children.

I Love You My Child, I'm Abandoning You, is about an exceptional young student, Paulette, who is surrounded by a loving family. But one day she is abruptly and unexpectedly forced to meet head-on the barbarous reality of the Holocaust, together with the rest of French Jewry. The young Paulette is forced to separate from her family, and as a result, she is abandoned by her father. However, in spite of her difficult and appalling life experiences, she remained positive and optimistic, holding on to her aspirations for life even in the darkest hours.

Author Ariela Palacz paints her life story in a very vivid and moving way through the character of diminutive Paulette Szenker. She sensitively weaves both past and present into an authentic and touching journey that moves between WWII France and present-day Israel. This is an emotional, heartrending and poignant story about the human spirit and the longing for a family, a tradition, and a nation.

Each Holocaust survivor has a unique and individual story. However, these survivors’ stories didn’t end in 1945. They continue through to the present day. Their testimonies provide us with an understanding of how the events of the Holocaust have shaped their lives and are an ongoing testimony to the strength of the human spirit.

Ariela Palacz’s actual story of survival offers an interesting all encompassing human dramatization that stretches out from the dim days of the Second World War to the autonomous State of Israel. A holding and inspiringly idealistic account based on her own personal experiences, you’ll appreciate each page of this captivating voyage of hope and inspiration. This really is a remarkable story.

If I read the author’s biography correctly, my condolences to her family. May she Rest In Peace.


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I Love You My Child, I'm Abandoning You: Holocaust book memoirs by Ariela Palacz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An emotional, heartrending and poignant story...

I have read many books about this horrible time in history and my heart breaks each time I read someone else’s experiences. The author writes in a way that makes you feel that you are right there with her and feeling every emotion that she is feeling. How she was able to go through all that she did and still has a strong will to make the best of life just astonishes me. She lost her family and I can’t even begin to imagine what that would be like. She is definitely an inspiration to me and I thank her for writing this book so that the horrors of the holocaust will never be forgotten. What makes this story so powerful is that it is written from a child’s perspective during the Second World War. We usually think of only adults when it comes to history’s atrocities, overlooking those who suffer and are damaged the most...children.

I Love You My Child, I'm Abandoning You, is about an exceptional young student, Paulette, who is surrounded by a loving family. But one day she is abruptly and unexpectedly forced to meet head-on the barbarous reality of the Holocaust, together with the rest of French Jewry. The young Paulette is forced to separate from her family, and as a result, she is abandoned by her father. However, in spite of her difficult and appalling life experiences, she remained positive and optimistic, holding on to her aspirations for life even in the darkest hours.

Author Ariela Palacz paints her life story in a very vivid and moving way through the character of diminutive Paulette Szenker. She sensitively weaves both past and present into an authentic and touching journey that moves between WWII France and present-day Israel. This is an emotional, heartrending and poignant story about the human spirit and the longing for a family, a tradition, and a nation.

Each Holocaust survivor has a unique and individual story. However, these survivors’ stories didn’t end in 1945. They continue through to the present day. Their testimonies provide us with an understanding of how the events of the Holocaust have shaped their lives and are an ongoing testimony to the strength of the human spirit.

Ariela Palacz’s actual story of survival offers an interesting all encompassing human dramatization that stretches out from the dim days of the Second World War to the autonomous State of Israel. A holding and inspiringly idealistic account based on her own personal experiences, you’ll appreciate each page of this captivating voyage of hope and inspiration. This really is a remarkable story.

If I read the author’s biography correctly, my condolences to her family. May she Rest In Peace.


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The Huntress by Johan Twiss
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I AM SLEEPLESS: The Huntress (Book 2) is a very well crafted Sci-Fi Fantasy. And I would imagine that fans of this genre will love sinking their teeth into this one! This is my second time reading this author and I must say I was very impressed yet again. Having read the first book in the series, I am Sleepless: Sim 299, I had high hopes for this second installment and the author did not disappoint.

The story had every element a good story should have. An exciting plot, attention to detail, but best of all fleshed out, well-written and well-rounded character development. There’s an abundance of well illustrated scenes that really make you feel like you are right there in the story, and that's something I really look for in a good book.

As the book description explains it better; “The plan was simple—escape, join the rebellion, find the Reader. But nothing is simple when Director Tuskin sends his Huntress after you. In this thrilling sequel, Aidan and his coterie are put to the test after discovering the secrets of Sim 299. When Director Tuskin destroys the sim system, Aidan, Fig, Palamos, and Masay are forced to escape the Mount Fegorio training complex and enter the outside world for the first time since their birth. But when things don't go as planned, the team must band together to survive and to avoid being captured by Sheva, the Huntress.”

This captivating and commendable work had me immersed from the beginning. The story flows from scene to scene with ease, and the author shows exceptional skill when it comes to storytelling. There are twists and turns in this page turner that will take the reader on a fascinating journey!

It’s one of those stories that come along once in awhile that makes you want to read it non-stop until you get to the end. I’m giving nothing further away here. And this, I hope, will only add to the mystery and enjoyment for the reader!

I’ll certainly be looking forward to reading more from Johan Twiss in the future. This has all the hallmarks of being a great series. I would definitely recommend this book! Five stars from me.


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The Huntress by Johan Twiss
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I AM SLEEPLESS: The Huntress (Book 2) is a very well crafted Sci-Fi Fantasy. And I would imagine that fans of this genre will love sinking their teeth into this one! This is my second time reading this author and I must say I was very impressed yet again. Having read the first book in the series, I am Sleepless: Sim 299, I had high hopes for this second installment and the author did not disappoint.

The story had every element a good story should have. An exciting plot, attention to detail, but best of all fleshed out, well-written and well-rounded character development. There’s an abundance of well illustrated scenes that really make you feel like you are right there in the story, and that's something I really look for in a good book.

As the book description explains it better; “The plan was simple—escape, join the rebellion, find the Reader. But nothing is simple when Director Tuskin sends his Huntress after you. In this thrilling sequel, Aidan and his coterie are put to the test after discovering the secrets of Sim 299. When Director Tuskin destroys the sim system, Aidan, Fig, Palamos, and Masay are forced to escape the Mount Fegorio training complex and enter the outside world for the first time since their birth. But when things don't go as planned, the team must band together to survive and to avoid being captured by Sheva, the Huntress.”

This captivating and commendable work had me immersed from the beginning. The story flows from scene to scene with ease, and the author shows exceptional skill when it comes to storytelling. There are twists and turns in this page turner that will take the reader on a fascinating journey!

It’s one of those stories that come along once in awhile that makes you want to read it non-stop until you get to the end. I’m giving nothing further away here. And this, I hope, will only add to the mystery and enjoyment for the reader!

I’ll certainly be looking forward to reading more from Johan Twiss in the future. This has all the hallmarks of being a great series. I would definitely recommend this book! Five stars from me.


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