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We Are All Humans And We Must Live Together
The Soul Machines follows three young friends who discover a mysterious artifact that brings out the worst in people. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I chose Transylvania, the place where I grew up and that I still visit every year, because it is a region with a convoluted past, where different ethnicities, cultures, and religions coexist. I wanted to depict life at the dawn of two of the most devastating political currents in our history, because I see a lot of unfortunate similarities between the rise of extreme left and extreme right politics and the current tendency to move away from the political center.
What were the morals you were trying to capture while creating your characters?
My goal was to challenge the reader to be less hasty when judging other people, irrespective of their identities. I tried to pack this message in a story that shows love, beauty and generosity, but also hatred, cruelty and insanity. I wanted to emphasize the inner struggle of my characters, and to show their growth. You can still recognize who the “good” and “bad” characters are, but in some circumstances, good people do bad things and vice versa. I wanted to show that it is important to navigate through life following strong principles (things like taking care of the family, following your dreams, helping others, and so on), yet without committing to any idea too far. We are all humans and we must live together if we want our civilization to continue to flourish.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Among the many themes I tried to portray in this novel, I’d mention the coming-of-age, prejudice, family, life and death, change vs. tradition, and more.
Where does the story go in the next book, and where do you see it going in the future?
At the end of “The Soul Machines” I closed a full circle from the moment the main character unearthed the artifact in Transylvania to the moment an explosion buried it again in Austria. There are many directions to explore in a sequel with our heroes facing the rise of socialism and nazism in Europe. But first I need to publish my second novel, this time a Science Fiction story set in the near future – just a few decades from now.
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The Soul Machines
Set in the 19th-century Austro-Hungarian Empire, Alexandru Czimbor’s The Soul Machines is a captivating novel that explores the impact of a mysterious device on the lives of three young friends and the residents of a burgeoning mining town in Transylvania. As the discovery of this peculiar object unleashes a wave of violence, murder, and lunacy, the three young men must navigate a complex web of conflicts, including a pauper’s love for a wealthy girl, a villain’s sinister plans, and a group’s plot to harness the power of the device.
What I appreciated most about this gripping book was the author’s skillful weaving of multiple minor conflicts, which together create a dramatic and engaging story. Czimbor expertly blends genres, including mystery, thriller, and forbidden love, to deliver a rich and elaborate reading experience. By shifting between multiple perspectives, we gain a comprehensive understanding of the story and how the character’s interactions with the device influence their plans and objectives. Moreover, the book raises insightful and thought-provoking discussions around religion, naturalism, Marxism, and Darwin’s theories of evolution. The combination of themes makes this genre-blending novel perfect for eclectic readers.
The Soul Machines is an emotional rollercoaster, filled with unexpected twists and turns that will keep you glued to the pages for hours. For readers looking for a historical narrative that is both captivating and emotionally engaging, this book is a must-read. Be warned, however, that the book ends on a cliffhanger, leaving readers eagerly anticipating a sequel. Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking an unforgettable reading experience.
Pages: 584 | ASIN : B0BRT85YMG
Addison Braves Brazil
Addison’s family is planning a trip to Brazil, and Addison is preparing herself for quite the adventure. What begins as some light reading to become familiar with the beaches she is looking forward to visiting becomes something a little less inspiring. Before she knows it, Addison is reading about some of Brazil’s less appealing features, and she begins to dread their trip as she pictures herself amidst a plethora of jungle-dwelling bats, bugs, and snakes! Will her trip be everything she fears? Or will she find a different side of Brazil–one that will amaze her and leave her with fun memories?
Addison Braves Brazil, written by Laura James and illustrated by Jasmine Smith, follows young Addison as she travels with her family, meets new people, and finds herself having a very different experience than the one she anticipated. James’s book offers young readers a look at Brazil while also addressing issues with which readers will relate to including bullying, some common medical problems, and children’s misconceptions.
Addison Braves Brazil is the second in a series by the author. This book has a unique structure and offers readers a thorough look at a long list of words that begin with the letter “b.” While it is written for readers who are typically older than those who are studying initial consonants, it is a great addition to school libraries and classroom libraries for grades K-5. There are many ways James’s book can be incorporated into a curriculum. The author has essentially handed parents and teachers a wonderful tool filled with vocabulary words and their definitions used in context–a teacher’s dream come true.
Addison Braves Brazil is a children’s adventure story that is a great addition to a child’s library. Within one book, young readers will be introduced to nearly 40 pages that are filled with challenging vocabulary words. James’s work is an asset to any parent, homeschool, curriculum, or classroom. It is short enough to read in a couple of sittings and lays the framework for some great discussions for both teachers and students. As a teacher, I look forward to more installments in this series.
Pages: 41 | ASIN : B09SBS5622
Grandma, Granddad, We Want to Praise God
Grandma, Granddad, We Want to Praise God is the third book in the Families Growing in Faith series. This beautiful children’s book follows children as they question their grandparents about how and when they should praise God. They want to know what praise is and how they should go about offering praise to God. The answers they get sometimes surprise the children, and they are astonished at all the ways that they can show God thanks and praise each and every day.
Author Vanessa Fortenberry, with illustrator Sharon Grey, tells the heartwarming story of children, from all ethnic backgrounds, asking their grandparents about God. Each page shows a different family and asks a different question. The rhyming stanzas will engage and entertain young readers and make for fun family reading. Each situation can be read and discussed as its own topic, making this a great study book for young children as well. Kids will love seeing how things they love to do each day, like singing, dancing, and attending church, are all ways that you can praise God.
The illustrations are done in a soft portrait style using a combination of bold and muted colors to create dynamic images that will capture the attention of children looking through this book. The diversity of scenery and subjects makes it so that each child can find a situation they can personally relate to in this fantastic book.
Grandma, Granddad, We Want to Praise God is a beautifully written picture book that captures the meaning of faith and love for God. The lyrical story combined with the memorable images create a children’s book that preschoolers and kindergarteners will love to read over and over again. Adults will find the story meaningful and will want to read it as much as the kids. This lovely book will teach praise and worship in a gentle and engaging manner.
Pages: 30 | ASIN : B08SJ1N7M6
No Names to Be Given
Spanning over fifty years, No Names To Be Given is a moving and heartbreaking historical novel about three different women from the 1960s who had to give up their children out of wedlock. Inspired by actual events, it takes the reader through the roller-coaster lives of Becca, Faith, and Sandy – from the day they met in the Magnolia Home Hospital to 25 years later, where their darkest secrets are threatened to be exposed.
This is author Julia Brewer Daily’s debut novel, but it feels like she’s been writing this story all her life. Perhaps that is the case, given that she was one of those babies adopted from a maternity home hospital during this period. While there were probably mountains of research to write this novel, it would be believable if Daily wrote this story purely from memory and family history.
Her tender prose shows that she’s writing from the heart. Despite that, she tells the story with some emotional distance. The journeys of the three women are told in alternating chapters that are so unflinching that the whole novel almost feels like a documentary. Additionally, this is based on very real traumas. Daily allows the story to shine on its own with the respect it deserves. She writes with an assured and confident voice and isn’t afraid to challenge the reader if it means telling the story the way it’s supposed to be.
It’s clear why Daily chose to alternate the story between chapters. It’s a complicated story, spanning generations, that would not have felt complete if done in a singular manner. The alternating chapters also emphasize the diversity of the characters’ situations. Becca falls in love with an African American man during the height of racism in America; Faith gets sexually assaulted by one of her father’s employees; Sandy becomes involved with a married mobster. If only one of these stories were told, it would not have done any justice for this disparaging historical truth.
No Names To Be Given is a through-provoking historical fiction novel. Readers will experience the heartbreak and fear these women live through, having their worst moments in life brought back to haunt them. A look into women’s history, adoption, and motherhood from the perspective of women in the 1960s.
Pages: 334 | ASIN : B09B157HLR
