Audio Book Review: The Insect Crisis: The Fall of the Tiny Empires That Run the World by Oliver Milman Narrated by Liam Gerrard

The Insect Crisis: The Fall of the Tiny Empires That Run the World was written by Oliver Milman and the audio version was narrated by Liam Gerrard. From ants scurrying under leaf litter to bees able to fly higher than Mount Kilimanjaro, insects are everywhere. Three out of every four of our planet's known animal species are insects. In The Insect Crisis, Oliver Milman dives into the torrent of recent evidence that suggests this kaleidoscopic group of creatures is suffering the greatest existential crisis in its remarkable 400-million-year history. What is causing the collapse of the insect world? And what can be done to stem the loss of the miniature empires that hold aloft life as we know it? Milman explores this hidden emergency, arguing that its consequences could even rival climate change. He joins the scientists tracking the decline of insect populations across the globe, including the mountains of Mexico that host an epic, yet dwindling, migration of monarch butterflies; the verdant countryside of England that has been emptied of insect life; the gargantuan fields of US agriculture that have proved a killing ground for bees; and an offbeat experiment in Denmark that shows there aren't that many bugs splattering into your car windshield these days. These losses not only further tear at the tapestry of life on our degraded planet; they imperil everything we hold dear, from the food on our supermarket shelves to the medicines in our cabinets to the riot of nature that thrills and enlivens us.

The Insect Crisis: The Fall of the Tiny Empires That Run the World opened my eyes to the threats to insects I have never considered and how valuable even some of the least thought about or liked insects can be to the environment. Between climate change, industrial farming, and the ever stronger chemicals we have been using to limit weeds and pests insects are facing challenges they have never had to deal with before. Numbers of a wide variety of insects are declining and while some are latching on to the plight of bees and butterflies, the majority of the decline is ignored, considered a good thing, or simply forgotten because fighting to save the population of dung beetles is less publicity friendly than saving the pandas or whales. I enjoyed getting a look at the science involved in documenting this problem, and I thought the descriptions of the researchers involved were very amusing and interesting. The tone of the book was entertaining, with humor through out the book, but never making light of the seriousness of the problem. I thought that the narrator, Liam Gerrard, did a wonderful job of conveying the import and intent of the book. I also like that the book described some simple things we can do, things that farmers and governments can do, and things we all should do to protect insects and life as we know it. I also like that it was pointed out that even if mankind fails to change, as we have proven we are reluctant to do without financial gain, some insects will still survive and possibly thrive long after we have destroyed every way possible for our species to do the same. They just wont be the insects that we venerate and depend on for pollination, waste clean up, or other vital tasks around the would that we often forget about. 

The Insect Crisis: The Fall of the Tiny Empires That Run the World is a well research and written book that I found to be thought provoking and enlightening. 

Audio Book Review: The One Great Gnome by Jeff Dinardo, Narrated by Simone Stevens

The One Great Gnome by Jeff Dinardo, Narrated by Simone Stevens, is a children's novel.  Eleven-year-old Sarah moves with her family from New York City to rural Hadley, Connecticut. She's eager to explore her new home and meet new friends, but she never expected to befriend an old garden gnome. Join Sarah as she is drawn into a secret world beneath our feet. Sarah uses her instincts to calm old rivalries and help the underworld elves, gnomes, and more live in peace.

The One Great Gnome is a fun and entertaining adventure. It is fairly mild on the level of danger, and pretty high on the message of giving those that a different a chance. I thought that Sarah was a fairly well rounded character, if a little too trusting for me. She is sweet and thoughtful with a tiny dash of street smarts. He discovery on gnomes, their secrets, and the magical world so close to our own was nice. Some of the characters really captured my imagination, but others felt a little flat for me. Occasionally descriptions about size or something practical just felt off for me, it just did not feel like how a twelve year old might describe it, but that is simply my opinion. I did think that the reader did a good job with inflections, tone, and individual voices. The inclusion of sound effects was a nice touch- although I will admit they startled me once or twice since I was listening in the car and found myself wondering if my car or another car in traffic was making a sound. As a whole, I did enjoy the story and thought it was a fun tale. However, I just did not find myself excited by it or overly impressed. It was good, but not one that I need to add to my collection. 

The One Great Gnome is a sweet bit of adventure with a nice lesson about looking past differences to forge friendship.

Early Audobook Review: Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price

Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price is scheduled to be released in print and audiobook on March 9 2021. I listened to a simulated audiobook, where a computer generated narration is provide. So, I cannot speak to the skill of the narrator, but I will say that the program did a very good job and there were only occasional moments of stilted speech that reminded me that I was not listening to a person.

This is the first book in the Jane Austen Murder Mysteries series and a retelling of Pride and Prejudice that reimagines the iconic settings, characters, and romances in a whodunit. When a scandalous murder shocks London high society, seventeen-year-old aspiring lawyer Lizzie Bennet seizes the opportunity to prove herself, despite the interference of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, the stern young heir to the prestigious firm Pemberley Associates. Convinced the authorities have imprisoned the wrong person, Lizzie vows to solve the murder on her own. But as the case—and her feelings for Darcy—become more complicated, Lizzie discovers that her dream job could make her happy, but it might also get her killed.

Pride and Premeditation is an engaging work of historical fiction and mystery that had me second guessing my memories of Pride and Prejudice as I read.  I enjoyed getting to see the characters in a new light, and was trying to put the clues together right with Lizzie. The spirited exchanges Lizzie has with Darcy, and just about everyone to be fair, are entertaining and add some more humorous moments to the mystery at hand. I also like that while the details have changed, the spirit of the original still felt very present to me. I also liked that the author included information about the changes she made to the story, and what historical details she had to alter to make her story happen. I think Austen would appreciate the liberties Price took, and most likely wished the freedom she offered characters in the book had been reality in her time. The twists in turns in the investigation, and the way the characters deal with them were well done, and I was fully invested in the characters and the conclusion through the entire book. I am very much looking forward to more in this series, and am disappointed that I listened to a galley so early, because that means I will have to wait that much longer before getting my hands on the books that will hopefully follow. 

Pride and Premeditation is an intriguing and well written book that fans or Jane Austen and Agatha Christie alike will enjoy. 

Audiobook Review: The Bright and Breaking Sea (Kit Brightling) by Chloe Neill, Narrated by Danielle Cohen

The Bright and Breaking Sea is the first book in the Kit Brightling series, written by Chloe Neill and narrated by Danielle Cohen.Kit Brightling, rescued as a foundling and raised in a home for talented girls, has worked hard to rise through the ranks of the Isles' Crown Command and become one of the few female captains in Queen Charlotte's fleet. Her ship is small, but she's fast—in part because of Kit's magical affinity to the sea. But the waters become perilous when the queen sends Kit on a special mission with a partner she never asked for. Rian Grant, Viscount Queenscliffe, may be a veteran of the Continental war, but Kit doesn't know him or his motives—and she's dealt with one too many members of the Beau Monde. But Kit has her orders, and the queen has commanded they journey to a dangerous pirate quay and rescue a spy who's been gathering intelligence on the exiled emperor of Gallia. Kit can lead her ship and clever crew on her own, but with the fate of queen and country at stake, Kit and Rian must learn to trust each other, or else the Isles will fall.

The Bright and Breaking Sea is a well written start to a series I look forward to continuing. Kit is a foundling that has worked hard and become a ship captain and trusted asset to the Queen. Her touch of magic and strong moral compass keep her on task and working hard but she is often underestimated for the very things that make her so successful. Grant is tired of war, and fighting, but would rather be thought of as Coronal than Viscount. When they are thrown together on a tough mission they discover that they might have more in common than they think. I found the information about the history, aspect of magic, and the major players to be well delivered through the entire story. While there are things I certainly want to know more about, I think that is more because of how interesting what we do know is, and my on internal curiosity, rather than missing pieces in the story. While their developing friendship, and the building of characters and setting, are a major part of this book the understanding of the dynamics of magic and the growing danger in the world around them is just as important. This book is more than the sum of its parts, and while there is a great deal going on it all fits together and builds to the promising start of what could be an epic series. Additionally, the inflections from Cohen as narrator really matched the story and helped me get lost in the world. 

The Bright and Breaking Sea is a wonderful start to a fantasy series with significant world and character building, as well as surprises, intrigue, and heart. 

Audiobook Review: Cursed Objects: Strange but True Stories of the World's Most Infamous Items by J.W. Ocker, Narrated by Tim Campbell

Cursed Objects: Strange but True Stories of the World's Most Infamous Items, written by J.W. Ocker and narrated by Tim Campbell, details strange but true stories of the world's most infamous items. It will appeal to true believers as well as history buffs, horror fans, and anyone who loves a good spine-tingling tale. They're lurking in museums, graveyards, and private homes. Their often tragic and always bizarre stories have inspired countless horror movies, reality TV shows, novels, and campfire tales. They're cursed objects, and all they need to unleash a wave of misfortune is you. Many of these unfortunate items have intersected with some of the most notable events and people in history, leaving death and destruction in their wake. But never before have the true stories of these eerie oddities been compiled into a fascinating and chilling volume.

Cursed Objects is a very entertaining and well researched book. I have a love for the weird, spooky, and just plan strange things in the world. From wacky bits of nature and strange history to the things people believe about themselves and the world. This book did a great job or giving well researched information, and sharing the lore around objects while making sure the difference between what is known and what is speculation is shown. There was also a healthy does of, who knows and you might as well be careful in there too. I liked the organization of the book by type of object, and thought that a great deal of reading, listening, and travel went into getting the research done for this book. Some of the objects were well known to me, and are likely to be at least known about by anyone that picks up a book on this subject matter. However, I also learned new details about those items, and learned about some things that I had need heard of before. There was a good deal of insight that made this a fully engaging read. I also like that the author took the subject matter seriously, but not so seriously that humor is left behind. There is a good deal of tongue and cheek commentary and pop culture references that actually made me chuckle out loud as I was listening to the book. I even let my teenage listen to it with me, and we both enjoyed it.

Cursed Objects is and intriguing and well narrated book. I was fascinated and entertain through the entire listen. I recommend this book for anyone interested in the subject matter, or even vaguely curious about cursed objects.

Audio Book Review: Angels, Demons, and Designer Shoes by Sandra Sookoo, Narrated by Anneliese Rennie, Alan Adelberg

Angels, Demons, and Designer Shoes was written by Sandra Sookoo and narrated by Anneliese Rennie and Alan Adelberg. Anne Jenkins never bought into the concept of a heaven or hell, but when she’s rescued from a runaway horse hurtling toward a steep ravine by a guy who claims he’s a demon, her freak detector goes off. When she demands proof, the leather-clad biker sets some local wildlife on fire. She starts to believe in a hurry. IRS agent Gregg Carter, bound to the Devil for all eternity for an audit gone wrong, seizes the opportunity to take possession of Anne’s soul as a way to please his boss. What he didn’t count on was the fact his libido would take the one-way bus to crazy town as he gets to know her better. When dreams of a future come calling, he’s screwed. Trouble is, Anne and Gregg spend so much time trying to hide their true selves from each other, that they can’t escape their mutual attraction. But everyone knows demons and humans don’t mix, and neither can two people destined for two different eternities. In the matter of heaven or hell, maybe the answer is somewhere in between.

Angels, Demons, and Designer Shoes took me a bit to get into. While I really like the use of dual narrators, and think they did a good job, they are not my favorite audiobook readers. I have heard some great narrators and think I am a little spoiled because of that. I was deep into chapter three before I started getting interested in the story. It reminded me a bit of the early MaryJanice Davidson or Angie Fox books, blending paranormal, humor, and romance.  The dance between Gregg and Anna was sometimes very entertaining, other times a little dull or annoying. My favorite character was Anne's grandmother- who was sneaky with secrets and manipulation working them both towards a happy ending. I was a little annoyed with Anne's insecurities and her fluctuation between repressed nice girl and teasing with a lollipop and whiny more often than not. However, I did like that we got the inner thoughts from both Anne and Gregg as they were bumbling around in their own feelings and motives. I thought that there were some good ideas here, and that the twists and turns were well thought out. There was a good deal of potential here, but it never really grabbed my attention. I think I would rather read, or listen to, a story about Anne's grandmother, who seems to have lived a very interesting life and was more than a little manipulative, than Anne and Gregg. 

Angels, Demons, and Designer Shoes is a story with some potential and that might be a good weekend read. 

Other Things I Have Been Reading

Confession time folks. I read and listen to some books that I do not review. Yes really! I have no excuse for why I often fail to review my non-netgalley books, but this means I often neglect some great books. I want to share some of my favorites with you as I struggle to find the time to write proper reviews so I can spread the love for some long time favorite authors, and share some recently discovered authors.

Some I found on Kindle Unlimited, some are Audible audio books, and some are from the local library. If I am bringing them up here, it is because I enjoyed the read and want others that might not have given them a try to be encouraged to do so, and to bring attention to them. I feel bad that I have been neglecting such wonderful authors review wise, but this is my first step in fixing that. 

First off, some of my favorite urban fantasy authors that I have been listening to via Audible. I love diving into the worlds of Ilona Andrews, Sherrilyn Kenyon, and Seanan McGuire.  I have rarely been disappointed by anything these three have written, and when I am it is mainly because I want more before it is ready. Although I am willing to wait for more, because I would hate to pressure them or have them rush through something instead of keeping true to their vision and quality level. If you like urban fantasy with some romance and fabulous world building start at the beginning of a series from one of these three and you can thank me later. 

Some of my new discoveries via Kindle Unlimited have had me binge reading between Netgalley arcs. Pippa Grant has became a favorite for funny romance. I am loving her series that rather rotates around a hockey team and their friends and family. I am both envious of the wacky characters and their exploits and glad that my family and friends are much calmer. I also started out loving Missy Johnson's Awkward Love series, but I am losing momentum there. Maybe I just did too many in a row, but they are losing the shine for me.

I also cannot sing my praises loud or long enough for Anyta Sunday. Their romances get me in the feels every time. The Signs of Love series and the Enemies to Lovers series  are both must reads for me. These M-M romances are as much about people finding their place in the world and figuring out both who they are and what they want as they are about finding love. I simply adore them, and am always left eager for what comes next. 

I also read the start to a new series that I will be following, but left me disgruntled with a cliff hanger ending. Wolf Hunted by Sadie Moss was a great read. Paranormalish adventure with hints of romance and suspense. The sequel was just released, but will have to wait in the penalty box (reading too much about Grant's hockey players) until I am ready to forgive the cliffhanger. 

I need to get on reviewing these too, so I can share the love. But, until that happens I needed to share how much I love these authors. Do you have favorites that are automatic reads that you sometimes read but fail to review? Some you want to share the love for here? 

Book Review: Magic For Nothing (InCryptid) by Seanan McGuire

Magic For Nothing is the sixth book in the InCryptid series by Seanan McGuire. I have listened to a few of this series on audiobook and loved them. The ones I have listened to are from Verity's or Alex's point of view, so It was nice to get another look at the Price family.

As the youngest of the three Price children, Antimony is used to people not expecting much from her. She’s been happy playing roller derby and hanging out with her cousins, leaving the globe-trotting to her older siblings while she stays at home and tries to decide what she wants to do with her life. She always knew that one day, things would have to change. She didn’t think they’d change so fast. Annie’s expectations keep getting shattered. She didn’t expect Verity to declare war on the Covenant of St. George on live television. She didn’t expect the Covenant to take her sister’s threat seriously. And she definitely didn’t expect to be packed off to London to infiltrate the Covenant from the inside…but as the only Price in her generation without a strong resemblance to the rest of the family, she’s the perfect choice to play spy. They need to know what’s coming. Their lives may depend on it. But Annie has some secrets of her own, like the fact that she’s started setting things on fire when she touches them, and has no idea how to control it. Now she’s headed halfway around the world, into the den of the enemy, where blowing her cover could get her killed. She’s pretty sure things can’t get much worse. Antimony Price is about to learn just how wrong it’s possible for one cryptozoologist to be.

Magic For Nothing is the in depth introduction to Antimony, after also seeing her through her family's eyes so far. She is just as capable as her siblings, but has her own troubles to face. She has to hide her identity to find out just what the Covenant knows, and what their plans are before there is more fall out from her sister's televised fight. Things get more and more complicated as she has to go further undercover and comes to care about the members of the show she was sent to observe. Readers get a much better understanding of Anne, and an even deeper look at the current state of the Covenant and the crypto world as it stand in the series. I loved watching Anne find her place in each of the new situations she finds herself in, and getting the explanations of how she feels with her family, and how that affected how they see her.  Combined with her skills and the dangers she has to faceb made me connect with Anne in ways I did not connect with Verity or Alex. The combination of character development and introduction with the adventure and danger was extremely well done, and I cannot wait to see where Anne's story goes from here. In fact, I already have the next book in my Audible queue. 

Magic For Nothing is another fantastic book from McGuire. I am eager to listen to the next book in this series, and her books are on my must read list.