Book Review: A Song of Silence by Steve N Lee

Author: Steve N Lee

Title: A Song of Silence

Genre: Historical Fiction

Format: ebook

Pages: 308

Published: May 14, 2024

Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

Summary: 

War thrust them together. Love will tear them apart.

Inspired by a true story...

When the Nazis invade a sleepy Polish town in 1939, Mirek Kozlowski swears to keep everyone in his orphanage safe at all costs. However, despite his struggles and sacrifices, the war drags him and his children deeper and deeper into its violent nightmare.

With 89 children looking to him for hope, Mirek must do whatever it takes to protect them — no matter how criminal, distasteful, or perilous it may be.

And just when he thinks things can’t get any worse, the arrival of a sadistic SS captain brings unspeakable atrocities to his town — and surprisingly, a glimmer of hope for Mirek to save all those he cares about if only he has the courage to grasp it…

A story of love, bravery, and compassion, A Song of Silence explores history’s darkest hour and how, even in the face of overwhelming evil, one man can become a dazzling beacon of light.

Discover what it means to be human. Discover A Song of Silence.

Review:

I couldn't resist this because I have adored previous books by this author and there is something with books about the Holocaust and WWII that always calls my name. 

Here we follow Mirek Kozlowski who wants nothing more than to keep his orphanage safe and happy. Everything changes when the Nazis invade his small town. Despite Mirek and his crew's struggles and sacrifices, the war drags them all deeper and deeper into its violent nightmare.

I didn't want to put this down!! I found myself staying up too late reading. 

The story is tragic and heartwarming and gripping. I just wanted a happily ever after for everyone, but you know that isn't the case. Times are dark and the light gets dimmer, but never goes out. There is hope. 

The author really knows how to get the reader to think and feel. Especially at the end I felt a tear rolling down my cheek. So good! 

I had zero issues with this book. 

In the end, I def recommend this for people who want to read an amazing people story. This poor man and his community will go through a terrible time and it will hit you in the feels. 5 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Enthralling 

B's Monday Review: Sing a Song of Sixpence by Agatha Christie

By: Agatha Christie

Narrated by: Hugh Fraser

Length: 37 mins

Release date: 01-21-21

Publisher: HarperCollins

Storytel.fi/ mystery

So the text at storytel did not say anything about Pelliser. I thought this was a Marple one. But eh, the guy solved the crime pretty quickly.

A short who did it. It had to be someone in the house. And he solved it. The end

Good narration. Very British and fitting

Retired Scotland Yard detective Sir Edward Palliser is called upon by Magdalen Vaughan to help solve the murder of her wealthy, eccentric aunt, Miss Lily Crabtree. The authorities believe only members of the household could have committed the crime, and this suspicion is tearing the family apart. Who really killed Lily's aunt?

Movie Review: The Little Mermaid (2023)

Title: The Little Mermaid

Length: 2h 15m

Released: 2023

Genre:  Fantasy, Action/Adventure, Romance, Family
Rating: PG
Where I Got It: Disney+

SUMMARY:

The youngest of King Triton's daughters, Ariel is a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure. Longing to find out more about the world beyond the sea, Ariel visits the surface and falls for the dashing Prince Eric. Following her heart, she makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to experience life on land.

Trailer

REVIEW:

Well....I bit the bullet and decided to watch this. I'm not crazy about Live Action adaptions so I'm so picky on what I'll watch. This had such mixed reviews so I wasn't sure...well...the siren's call finally got me.

Here we have Ariel who is a mermaid and she wants more. She wants a different life...she wants to be human. This desire becomes more ardent when she sees Prince Eric and how amazing he is. He is compassionate, passionate, adventurous, kind to animals, and handsome. When her family won't listen, she turns to the evil sea witch to help. 

Oh Ariel you innocent gal. I will say this version of the Prince I can see why she fell for him. She actually got to see him in action and hear him speak. Any young gal would find it hard not to fall for him. 

Now...there are some minor changes to the plot and to some of the songs. I didn't mind them at all. I did appreciate the mention of the siren's song and how its magical and actually saved Eric at the same time as cursing him. That addition made me happy. I also loved the addition that when Ariel was turned she was given a little bit of amnesia. She couldn't remember the fact that she HAS to kiss him before the sun sets. I honestly felt like this made her not seem desperate. She got to know him and fall for him and then WANT to kiss just to kiss him. I liked that. 

I am SUPER bummed that they cut out the French cook. Booo! I loved his little feud with the crab and the song lives in my head rent free.

The cast was okay. Surprisingly....I felt the weakest was King Triton. The actor is amazing but...he didn't seem hot-headed enough for the role. He had the sad thing going well, but when he was supposed to be angry....I just didn't buy it. I loved our Ariel and our evil witch. The voice acting was fun! I liked how they made the creatures look like actual creatures. Very cute. 

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the whole race thing. People lost their minds. But let's be real....it's a damned mermaid in a FANTASY movie. Who cares? She had the red hair still and a beautiful voice. That's all Ariel really is. I found it interesting pretty much all the daughters were of a different race. That was different. Did they all have different moms? I'm curious about the lore there. 

But again......everyone chill on the race thing. It's a mermaid movie for kids. No one cared when they casted Brandy as Cinderella with an Asian prince who had a white dad and black mom..............Not sure why THIS is the hill people want to die on. The actress did a wonderful job and that is all I care about. 

All-in-all, I did enjoy this much more than I thought I would. Some changes were great...some cuts I missed, but not enough to naysay the whole film. This was fun and a nice nod to the original. Casting was 95% okay. I had some issues with King Triton (he was too kind). Def worth the watch if you like the original. I'll give this 4 stars.

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Surprising

DNF: The Sound of Murder by KL Montgomery

Author: KL Montgomery

Title: The Sound of Murder

Series: Musical Murder Mystery #1

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Cozy mystery

Format: ebook

Pages: 173

Published: March 24, 2022

Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

How do you solve a problem like... a murder?

Ruby Ecco has been a chorus girl her whole life. “You have a great voice and such a pretty face, but we don’t have a leading role for someone your size,” is what casting directors have always told her.

But she’s finally landed a nice gig, touring with a traveling theatre troupe. Being in the chorus affords her the opportunity to sightsee in every town they visit....and to shine in a brand-new role when one of her castmates turns up dead.

Can Ruby solve the mystery of what happened to Mother Superior in their production of The Sound of Music? Would someone actually murder a woman who was in town to play a NUN?!

Ruby intends to climb every mountain on her quest to bring the murderer to justice...or else it might be so long, farewell for our favorite chorus girl!

Review:

Picked this up as a freebie over at Amazon. It seemed like the perfect cozy mystery. Music and murder? Oh my! 

Sadly...I couldn't connect. Everything started out fine enough, but I started yawning and I could not give any energy to care. I didn't care who dunnit....I didn't care about our main character. 

Nothing clicked. I gave it a solid 100 pages but I found myself skimming to even make it to my self-imposed rule. The moment I hit 100 I stopped. It was in the middle of a chapter and a convo I believe, but I just sat my phone down (this is an ebook) and went on to greener fields. 

Not for me. Maybe I'll retry one day. 

DNF