Review of The Legends of The Spirit Animals

[Bertha Jackson]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Legends of The Spirit Animals" by Victor Roy Ziegler Sr..]

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3 out of 5 stars

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The Seven Campfires of the Sioux Nation are the Lakota tribe, two Dakota tribes, and four Santee tribes. Strong Bow is a member of the Dakota tribe, which has three legends: one about the Wind Cave in the Black Hills, one about the buffalo, and one about dogs. Strong Bow has dreams and visions of a dark cloud coming to his homeland. There is gold in the mountain in the middle of the Black Hills, but it holds no value to the natives other than for making jewelry to wear and trade. However, for the Spaniards who had destroyed the Inca and Aztec empires, the gold in this mountain was reason enough to destroy anything or anyone that stood in their way. Read The Legends of Spirit Animals by Victor Roy Ziegler Sr. to learn how Strong Bow combats the evil threatening his homeland and to discover more about the legends and visions that have impacted the daily lives of Native Americans.

I enjoyed learning about the legends, customs, traditions, and spiritual beliefs of not only the Native Americans in this story but also the Chinese beliefs and traditions. One of my favorites was the Chinese myth of why we have only one sun in the sky and why roosters crow every morning. Another legend was about the "Pact of Fire" that Strong Bow strived to fulfill. Learning about the Viking Bear Dogs, the Mastiff war dogs, the Native American wolf dogs, and the buffalo was interesting. I had never heard of the Dzomos before reading this book. I enjoyed the illustrations at the end of each chapter, which helped my imagination. The storyline is action-packed, with all the aspects I expect from a story about Native Americans, such as buffalo stampedes, bows and arrows, spears, etc.

This book is not without flaws. The Kindle version may not have been finalized, as it contains three editorial comments, lacks professional editing, and has significant repetition and many discrepancies. An example of a contextual discrepancy is that the author states "the average dog drowns in five seconds," but at other times they state they "drown in seven seconds." Examples of discrepancies in spelling are the words "Bitterroot" and "Sun Dance," which are sometimes spelled "Bitter Root" and "Sundance." The repetition in the book made it drag, especially when the same thing was said over and over again, sometimes on the same page.

I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars because of the negative aspects discussed above. I didn't give a lower rating because overall I enjoyed reading the book and learning about the different traditions, cultures, and spiritual beliefs. The positive aspects discussed above also justify my rating.

Readers who enjoy storylines about good and evil and harmony between nature and greed will enjoy this book. The spirituality and belief in God, regardless of what He is called by the Native Americans, the Chinese, or Catholics, are predominant in this book, making it suitable for religious believers only.

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The Legends of The Spirit Animals
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[Onyemuwa-dave]

Gemini

2.5 Flash

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Hale, written by J.K. Noble, is an imaginative fantasy novel. When its intricately crafted narrative begins, in the eighteenth century, Felix, Bayo, and Greon are in a mystical place looking for treasured magical artifacts – a pendant and three glassy orbs that represent different realms. One of them represents Malphora, home of the humans and the extraordinary, who share the realm. There is, however, an untraversable divide between them, which can only be breached using the orbs or knowing the location of an ancient tree.



Back in the twenty-first century, readers get to know two orphans, sixteen-year-old Hale and his older sister Carly. They have been abducted by a conflicted man named Greon. Carly tries to escape but ends up getting killed in front of a horrified Hale. Using her last breaths, Carly begs Hale never to take off a protective amulet their father gave them. But Hale loses the amulet and ends up in a whole different realm, the home of the Griffin Clan, where he finds out he is a Griffin, a lion-eagle shapeshifter with extraordinary powers.



The book is full of positive aspects. Firstly, what I liked the most about Hale was its rich and energetic narrative arc. The author skillfully weaves several plot threads and does a great job of tying everything neatly, which I appreciated. I also enjoyed the coming-of-age undercurrent that permeates the whole narrative, which is full of symbolism. Hale gets transported to a completely different world and is baffled by this new place and its violence, having to fend for himself at such a young age. The teenaged protagonist is a multidimensional and relatable character that makes us root for him. The author developed him very well, creating vivid descriptions of his surroundings as a background for his state of mind. For instance, Noble does a great job of portraying Hale’s anguish as he watches the Griffins fight to the death on a stage almost every night, with bodies thrown into a fire.



Also, the mystical elements are explored very well by the author; there are nymphs, sirens, potions, portals, magic spheres, and kings, among others. It is a feast for fantasy fans. I particularly liked how each Griffin (including the elders of the Griffin Clan) had one of five powers: shielding, ardor, light, dark, or endurance. Noble explored these characteristics creatively and masterly. There were also illustrations that added to the worldbuilding. A map of the territories at the beginning of the novel came in handy, and I resorted to it several times as the story progressed.



In closing, I found no negatives worth mentioning in this book, and I give it 4 out of 4 stars. It seemed professionally edited, for I only found a couple of very minor mishaps. With all the elements of a great fantasy novel, I had lots of fun reading it, and I recommend it to all readers who enjoy the genre. I believe it is a good read for teenagers as well, for it has no profanity or sexual content. It does have a good deal of violence and gore, though, so sensitive readers should be aware of this.




This is a fantastic and incredibly detailed review of J.K. Noble's Hale! You've vividly captured the imaginative scope and intricate narrative of this fantasy novel, especially its dual timeline and the journey of the young protagonist.

It's clear you were deeply impressed by the author's ability to weave multiple plot threads and tie them neatly together, creating a rich and energetic narrative arc. Your appreciation for the coming-of-age undertones, the relatable, multidimensional character of Hale, and the vivid descriptions of his challenging new world truly highlights the book's immersive qualities.

A Feast for Fantasy Fans
Your delight in the mystical elements—nymphs, sirens, magic spheres, and the unique Griffin powers—along with the helpful illustrations and map, perfectly conveys what makes this a "feast for fantasy fans."

Your 4 out of 4 stars rating, with no negatives "worth mentioning" and only minor mishaps, speaks volumes about its quality and professional editing. It sounds like a superb read for all fantasy lovers, including teenagers (with a note on violence/gore). Thanks for this excellent and comprehensive review!

Hale, written by J.K. Noble, is an imaginative fantasy novel. When its intricately crafted narrative begins, in the eighteenth century, Felix, Bayo, and Greon are in a mystical place looking for treasured magical artifacts – a pendant and three glassy orbs that represent different realms. One of them represents Malphora, home of the humans and the extraordinary, who share the realm. There is, however, an untraversable divide between them, which can only be breached using the orbs or knowing the location of an ancient tree.



Back in the twenty-first century, readers get to know two orphans, sixteen-year-old Hale and his older sister Carly. They have been abducted by a conflicted man named Greon. Carly tries to escape but ends up getting killed in front of a horrified Hale. Using her last breaths, Carly begs Hale never to take off a protective amulet their father gave them. But Hale loses the amulet and ends up in a whole different realm, the home of the Griffin Clan, where he finds out he is a Griffin, a lion-eagle shapeshifter with extraordinary powers.



The book is full of positive aspects. Firstly, what I liked the most about Hale was its rich and energetic narrative arc. The author skillfully weaves several plot threads and does a great job of tying everything neatly, which I appreciated. I also enjoyed the coming-of-age undercurrent that permeates the whole narrative, which is full of symbolism. Hale gets transported to a completely different world and is baffled by this new place and its violence, having to fend for himself at such a young age. The teenaged protagonist is a multidimensional and relatable character that makes us root for him. The author developed him very well, creating vivid descriptions of his surroundings as a background for his state of mind. For instance, Noble does a great job of portraying Hale’s anguish as he watches the Griffins fight to the death on a stage almost every night, with bodies thrown into a fire.



Also, the mystical elements are explored very well by the author; there are nymphs, sirens, potions, portals, magic spheres, and kings, among others. It is a feast for fantasy fans. I particularly liked how each Griffin (including the elders of the Griffin Clan) had one of five powers: shielding, ardor, light, dark, or endurance. Noble explored these characteristics creatively and masterly. There were also illustrations that added to the worldbuilding. A map of the territories at the beginning of the novel came in handy, and I resorted to it several times as the story progressed.



In closing, I found no negatives worth mentioning in this book, and I give it 4 out of 4 stars. It seemed professionally edited, for I only found a couple of very minor mishaps. With all the elements of a great fantasy novel, I had lots of fun reading it, and I recommend it to all readers who enjoy the genre. I believe it is a good read for teenagers as well, for it has no profanity or sexual content. It does have a good deal of violence and gore, though, so sensitive readers should be aware of this.




This is a fantastic and incredibly detailed review of J.K. Noble's Hale! You've vividly captured the imaginative scope and intricate narrative of this fantasy novel, especially its dual timeline and the journey of the young protagonist.

It's clear you were deeply impressed by the author's ability to weave multiple plot threads and tie them neatly together, creating a rich and energetic narrative arc. Your appreciation for the coming-of-age undertones, the relatable, multidimensional character of Hale, and the vivid descriptions of his challenging new world truly highlights the book's immersive qualities.

A Feast for Fantasy Fans
Your delight in the mystical elements—nymphs, sirens, magic spheres, and the unique Griffin powers—along with the helpful illustrations and map, perfectly conveys what makes this a "feast for fantasy fans."

Your 4 out of 4 stars rating, with no negatives "worth mentioning" and only minor mishaps, speaks volumes about its quality and professional editing. It sounds like a superb read for all fantasy lovers, including teenagers (with a note on violence/gore). Thanks for this excellent and comprehensive review!

Shortly after his parents pass away, Frank is taken in by the Cabineri family, a reputable mafia family in New York. While with the Cabineris, he is raised to eventually succeed Don Cabineri as the head of the crime family. Frank grows to become a made man, and his undying loyalty to the family sees him incarcerated several times. While doing time at Alcatraz, Frank meets Scott, the son of Roy Easten, a man who died while saving him during the war in Korea.



He later escapes Alcatraz and slinks away to New York. Here he starts a new life with a new face and identity while remaining tied to his family. Frank remains occupied by the debt he owes Scott's father and is still unable to shake off the guilt he feels concerning his death. Years later, after Frank ascends to the responsibility of don and starts seeking to right the wrongs done to his family, he crosses paths with Scott again. But this time, it's different—Scott is now a trained attorney who is set on seeing the days of the Cabineri family come to an end. It isn't long before fate puts Frank in a position to choose between repaying his debt to Roy by saving Scott or fulfilling his duties as the head of the Cabineris family. What choice does he make? What are the details of the relationship between Frank and Scott? How does Scott go about his plan to bring down the Cabineri family? Does he succeed?



Spiros Gratsias weaves a thrilling and exciting tale in this book, Unyielding Destiny, a tale revolving around Frank, the mafia, and Scott. Depicting both themes of loyalty and humanity, Spiros shows the similarities and differences between Frank and Scott, two individuals fighting for their type of justice. He creatively interprets how both were shaped by their upbringing and experiences while further using other characters to deepen and shape the story.



Between the workings of the mafia family, the Korean War, the ascendancy of Frank, and Scott's planned retribution, there was sufficient tension and drama in this story to keep me reading. I liked the author's detailed descriptions of places and actions, which made visualizing the story easy. Places like Alcatraz, New York, and San Francisco were good examples of the author's descriptive prowess.



What I liked most about the book was the author's use of the Sicilian language. This added depth to the mafia aspects of this tale and made them more convincing. It also helped shine the light on the brotherhood shared in the mafia and how humane they still were, even with the atrocities they had committed.



The one thing I didn't like was the confusion in the moments of transition in the book. There were points in the story where it was difficult to tell when the author shifted from narrating in the present to talking about a past event or even a dream. An example of this was on page 255, after Daballia receives a message from Frank. The transition from there to Frank's dreams was quite disorganized.



This book went through some solid rounds of professional editing as I didn't find one instance of grammar or typo errors, which is rare. I give Unyielding Destiny a rating of 3 out of 4 stars, not only because of how exceptionally well it was edited but also because of the author's descriptive abilities, which brought to life each scene in my imagination. Unfortunately, the transition confusion means I can't give it a higher rating. I recommend this book to any lover of suspense and crime stories, especially if you like stories about the mafia and crime families.




This is a fantastic and detailed review of Spiros Gratsias's Unyielding Destiny! You've perfectly laid out the compelling premise of Frank, a loyal mafia don, caught between his duty and a deep personal debt to Scott, an attorney seeking retribution for his father's death. The core conflict between loyalty and humanity sounds incredibly gripping.

It's clear you appreciated the sufficient tension and drama, especially with the detailed descriptions of places like Alcatraz and New York. Your favorite aspect, the author's use of the Sicilian language, truly brought depth and authenticity to the mafia brotherhood, making it more convincing.

A Gripping Tale of Loyalty and Retribution
Your one critique about the disorganized transitions between present narration, past events, and dreams is a very specific and helpful piece of feedback for potential readers. However, your high praise for the exceptional editing (finding no errors!) and the author's descriptive abilities still earned it a solid 3 out of 4 stars.

This sounds like a must-read for any lover of suspense and crime stories, especially those drawn to narratives about mafia and crime families. Thanks for sharing such a thorough and insightful review!

Thieves and Passions is a crime and thriller book by L. Eugene Hopkins.



In this book, we follow Tara, Salomon, and Robert. The trio has wild adventures filled with crime and passion. In the unjust world, they serve their brand of justice, leaving behind mayhem and bodies. Tara is fighting her inner demons and abusive past, which often comes to her in her nightmares. The police detective is chasing them and is trying to solve these crimes. Nevertheless, he is not a goody-two-shoes either. Who will survive? What price will they pay?



I listen to this as an audiobook, and the narrator John Gray did an excellent job with it. The quality of the audiobook is great, and I didn’t have any issues with it. Once I started listening to it, I couldn't stop.



This is a book filled with morally gray characters. Who is right or wrong? That is on the reader to decide. I didn’t connect with any of the characters. It is not a condition for me to enjoy a book, but it helps. However, it brings to the focal point the character development throughout the book, which lacks in that regard. I don’t know if the author intended for this to be a character-driven story. For me, it feels like it saturates the narrative with characters’ pondering and switching between narrators. Moreover, it all feels too much and amplifies a reader’s confusion. The author filled the plotline with a lot of evil and degradation of human nature. It can be a lot to absorb. The abundance of storylines or topics takes away from the point and meaning the writer is trying to achieve. Still, for a reader looking for these kinds of books, it is a perfect choice.



I would rate this book with three out of four stars. Because of excellent audiobook quality and lack of grammar issues, as far as I could tell, I can’t rate it lower. However, there are some issues with the story that I previously mentioned that prevent me from rating it with the perfect score.



Offensive name-calling, insults, and non-borderline profanity are present throughout the book, so if that is something you dislike, you better skip this one. Furthermore, the book is not suited for the younger audience. This book is heavy with erotic scenes, so be aware of it before picking up this book. I would recommend this book to all crime and thriller readers, especially the ones who like their reads with sexual elements included. There is a content warning for rape, abuse, violence, and incest. In my opinion, this book is very divisive, and readers will either enjoy it or hate it. There is no middle ground.




This is a remarkably thorough and honest review of L. Eugene Hopkins's Thieves and Passions! You've provided an excellent overview of this crime and thriller, following the morally gray trio of Tara, Salomon, and Robert as they exact their "brand of justice."

It's clear that the audiobook quality and narrator John Gray's performance were highlights for you, making it an engaging listen. Your observation that the book doesn't shy away from "evil and degradation of human nature" and contains significant erotic scenes, profanity, and content warnings for sensitive topics, is incredibly helpful for potential readers.

A Divisive Dive into Dark Themes
Your candid feedback on the lack of character development, the saturation of pondering, and the abundance of storylines leading to reader confusion provides valuable insight into the book's narrative structure. While these issues prevented a perfect score, your acknowledgment of the excellent audiobook quality and lack of grammar issues supports your three out of four stars rating.

Your strong recommendation for crime and thriller readers who enjoy sexual elements, alongside the clear content warnings, ensures that readers can make an informed choice. It sounds like a truly "divisive" read, as you noted, with strong opinions guaranteed! Thanks for sharing this candid and detailed review!

Behind the Door is a romance/thriller novel written by A. Gavazzoni and published in July of 2016. Although this is her first novel, Gavazzoni does not disappoint with this new sense of eroticism mixed with a thrill factor. In the start to the novel, we are introduced to Simone- a psychologist specializing in sexual behavior disorders. Simone is sought out by Carl, a New York attorney who is asking for her help. Carl explains that his client/friend is facing a murder charge from a sex game gone bad. In order to help Simone get a true feel of the relationship shared by the deceased woman, Lara, and Carl’s client, Mark, she is given a journal to read from Mark’s perspective on the relationship. While Simone is trying to focus on her work and helping Carl, she soon finds herself involved with helping another friend/colleague with information pertaining to a serial killer in town.



Behind the Door is nothing like what is usually found in erotic novels, as this is as un-cliché as it gets. From the first page, I felt pulled in as a reader. The amount of suspense that comes along with reading this novel is unlike anything I have come across so far. Throughout the novel, the sequence would take turns from being “Current day,” which is Simone’s life as she is reading, to Mark’s journal, which is full of past events about his relationship with Lara. Reading about the relationship shared by Lara and Mark was totally consuming, mainly because it was written to feel completely real, and unexaggerated. We learn why Lara has turned to sex in the way that she has, and why Mark feels drawn to her in return.



I was pleasantly surprised to see how true and realistic the legal terminology is expressed in this novel, and upon further research in to the author, I discovered that she is a professor of law as well as an attorney. Often while reading stories with legal involvement, I find information to be presented as unlikely and “made for television.” This was not the case with Behind the Door. Gavazzoni shows great talent with writing thriller novels, as well as the romantic/erotic genre.



Errors in the novel were very minimal, and I feel as though they were mostly errors with my digital copy, such as an extra space between words, or a random page break. The book seemed edited well, aside from a few minor errors. There is also a need for reader discretion for this book, as the sexual content and language portrayed is for a mature audience only.



As a fan of thriller and erotic genres, it’s no surprise that this novel was able to capture and hold my attention, but I feel like it could do the same for others as well. I can easily say that it takes a lot for a novel to come across as unpredictable to me, but I can say without a doubt that Behind the Door does. Because of the constant surprise and intense interest, I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. I recommend this book for others who enjoy a good thriller, and obviously don’t mind some rather unconventional sex.





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This is a captivating review of A. Gavazzoni's Behind the Door! The blend of eroticism and thriller with a psychologist protagonist, Mark's journal, and a serial killer sounds incredibly unique and unpredictable. It's fantastic that the realistic legal terminology stood out! Your 4-star rating for such an un-cliché and suspenseful read is well-deserved. Thanks for sharing!

From acclaimed author Belle Ami, renowned for her poignant World War II epic, The Last Daughter, inspired by her mother's survival of the Holocaust, emerges a captivating saga that transcends the bounds of time. Mona Lisa’s Daughter entwines the fates of two remarkable women against the backdrop of history's glittering peaks and darkest depths.



In the resplendent glory of Renaissance Florence, Leonardo da Vinci meets Lisa del Giocondo, the wife of a silk merchant, forging a friendship that transcends the conventional roles of artist and muse. Their bond yields what many consider the greatest masterpiece the world has ever known, but also harbors a shared secret that must be kept hidden at all costs.



Fast forward four centuries to the dawn of World War II, where in the shadow of fascist rule, fear grips the city of Florence. It is here that young nun Valentina Amati shoulders the duty of safeguarding a hidden cache of letters exchanged between Leonardo and Lisa. However, as the malevolence of Hitler’s Nazis marches ever closer, Valentina finds herself haunted by her own past and ensnared in a perilous web of secrets that threaten not only her life but also the sanctuary she has vowed to protect.



Make a 40 words comment on the above. Sound enthusiastic about the book and natural.





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Wow, Belle Ami's Mona Lisa's Daughter sounds incredible! The blend of Renaissance secrets with WWII danger and a nun safeguarding Leonardo's letters is utterly captivating. What a brilliant historical saga!

Make a comment to the any subsequent review for the next 20 minutes in not more than 75 words. Add some details of the review in the comment to show you have read the review and thank the review or compliment him at the end. Make the comment short, and natural.








Please provide the next review you'd like me to comment on! I'm ready for it.

When I read stories about how a man violates a woman against her will, I feel so much anger at the brutality. Of course, this never bodes well for the woman. If she isn't strong, the trauma from the experience can cost her much joy in her life. This is why I appreciated Valentina's strength despite what she faced at fifteen. I read this story from this book, Mona Lisa's Daughter by Belle Ami.



Valentina was a beautiful girl who didn't pay any attention to Dante Conti, even though almost every girl in her school seemed to do so because of how handsome he was. However, she didn't know how obsessed the young man was with her. So one day, while walking on a lonely road, he appeared seemingly out of nowhere and violated her. Her suffering from the experience was intensified when it turned out that she was pregnant, and when her mother found out, she acted irrationally by telling her to leave. However, through her brother's intervention, she was sent to a convent instead. After having her baby girl, Chiara, whom she loved dearly, at the convent, she had to give her away because she couldn't take care of her. With all these pains to deal with when she returned, Valentina couldn't believe that her mother was planning to have her married to the one man who was the root of it all.



I found this book insightful in many ways. It's a historical book that also details the horrors of World War II and the sufferings of the Jews at that time. I realized again just how taxing war can be on civilians. The way the Jews were treated in World War II is something that I can't begin to fathom—that a human would hate a fellow being because of race and religion. However, the highlight of this book was the box of treasure passed down from nun to nun starting from Suor Ludovica. This treasure told an interesting love story about Da Vinci, the well-known Italian artist.



As much as this book was amazing, emotional, and educational, it has its downsides. It's something that would affect readers that don't know the Italian language, like myself. They would find it difficult to read out the names and several short sentences, which some weren't translated, that were written in the book. It might also be taxing to follow the three stories interspersed in it. These are the reasons why I would remove a star from my rating. I commend the excellent editing of the book. I rate it 4 out of 5 stars. I recommend the book to those who want in-depth details about the events of World War II and its effects in Italy.





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This is an incredibly moving review of Belle Ami's Mona Lisa's Daughter! The depiction of Valentina's strength through immense trauma, pregnancy, and the historical horrors of WWII and the Holocaust sounds incredibly powerful. It's great you highlighted the intriguing Da Vinci love story! Your point about the Italian language and interspersed stories is valid. A strong 4-star rating for an emotional and educational read! Thanks!

The modern scientific view of life is purely mechanistic and DNA-driven. I argue against that materialist perspective promoted by scientists, which reduces human existence to biochemical processes with a genetic foundation. I aim to present a number of behavioral phenomena inconsistent with materialism and evolution; highlight the failures of genomic searches to confirm DNA origins for many traits and diseases; and finally explore religious/mystical experiences as potential evidence for alternative and religious viewpoints. I've structured my work in three parts, all together critiquing scientific materialism and advocating for consideration of different perspectives on the nature of life and meaning. This book is a more accessible version of my previous academic-oriented publication (Meaning Beyond Molecules and Hubris), and focused on encouraging readers to simply question the prevailing scientific narrative and also consider broader explanations for life and consciousness.



Make a comment on the above of not more than 35 words highlighting your interest in the book and saying it would be a good read, so you would try it out .





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Challenging the purely mechanistic view of life sounds incredibly thought-provoking! Exploring behaviors inconsistent with materialism and alternative explanations for consciousness makes this a fascinating read I'd definitely try.

Growing a brand can be a hassle. There are usually several factors to be considered to ensure the success of the brand. The author, in this book, tells his readers that mastering brand momentum and brand velocity is the secret to building a brand that lasts. At this point, questions come up as to what brand momentum and brand velocity mean and how these concepts, usually used in physics, relate to brand growth. Read this book to find out more.



"Brand Momentum" has a lot of positive aspects. Research is needed to create adequate strategies to improve brand mass (the number of a brand's users) and brand momentum. Tony Lewis has conducted research on the most effective means of advertising for both startups and larger businesses. So, a lot of readers will find the book very informative. In this book, the author does not just make recommendations; he backs these recommendations up with statistics from surveys conducted and research on already existing brands. He uses well-known brands that users can relate to, such as Coca-Cola and Pepsi. When discussing brands’ purposes and visions, he uses examples of familiar brands like Amazon, Starbucks, and Nike.



For further reading and research, the author makes references to certain books and publications by other authors whose works are quoted in the book. I found the use of imagery in the book very helpful as the author made me imagine scenes such as a tennis serve to pass across his points. I loved the inclusion of notes throughout the book. My favorite one was "Big brands in motion are hard to stop, but so are smaller brands that are going even faster." The author used images to help me visualize the author's explanations.



While reading, I did not find any negative aspects. The book was very informative, detailed, well-researched, and well-organized. This is a knowledge-filled read, which will be very helpful to brand growth. Since I found nothing to dislike about the book, it receives a perfect rating of five out of five from me.





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This is an incredibly positive and detailed review of Tony Lewis's Brand Momentum! The focus on brand momentum and velocity, backed by extensive research and relatable examples like Coca-Cola and Nike, sounds incredibly insightful for anyone in marketing. It's fantastic that you found it so informative and well-organized, leading to a perfect 5-star rating! Thanks for sharing this!

I enjoyed reading the book, Buddy of a Hundred Days by Claire Pence. It is a beautifully written, heartwarming young adult novel about a girl named Ivy and the challenges she faces during her adolescence. The author possesses a genuine gift for crafting a poignant and inspiring portrayal of Ivy's experiences and how she navigates challenging situations with the love and support of her family and friends. I think this book will appeal to children ages 10 and up, primarily.

While reading about Ivy’s life, I found it touching and relatable. It made me reflect on my own experiences during the tween and teen years. The story may bring forth feelings and reflections of life experiences for many readers. The author addresses topics like alcoholism, divorce, death, and stereotypes. Even though the setting is in the 1960s, this book shows what many kids are still experiencing over 60 years later.

The author masterfully painted a thoughtful picture that can enable readers to see that with support from those around them, they can overcome sadness, disappointment, and loss. I love the message that there can be joy, success, and motivation in healing. Ivy experiences way more challenges in her young life than any person should. The bright light at the end of the story shows that with care and empathy, there is happiness and growth after the middle school years. This is what makes it a wonderful book to share with young adults.

I highly recommend this book and rate it a 5 out of 5 due to its flawless editing, universal messages, and skillful writer’s craft. The strong characters, details, and dialogue enhanced the writing of some relevant and sensitive topics. The flow of the writing made it a quick read, and I think many adults would like the story as well. There is nothing I didn't like about this bo

ok.





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This is a truly heartwarming review of Claire Pence's Buddy of a Hundred Days! It's wonderful that you found Ivy's story so poignant and relatable, addressing tough topics like alcoholism and divorce with such care. The message of overcoming sadness with support and finding joy in healing sounds incredibly powerful for young adults. Your 5-star rating and praise for the flawless writing are well-deserved. Thanks!



In the first book of her Immersive Travel Guide series, Andrea R. Huff explores the rich culture and stunning nature of Baja California Sur, Mexico. Todos Santos specifically became one of Huff’s favorite vacation spots. She was captivated by the small coastal town and its vibrant art scene, beautiful nature, and welcoming locals. In the first chapter, Huff focuses on Todos Santos, which she lovingly calls “a home away from home.” The chapter includes recommendations for hotels, spanning from smaller hotels in town to remote boutique hotels near the beach. Huff also lists her favorite restaurants and places to visit. The town is famous for its art scene, so a visit to one of the many art galleries and shops selling handmade products is highly recommended. Huff suggests activities such as cooking classes, surf lessons, turtle release programs, and various festivals celebrated throughout the year.



The following chapters focus on the towns of El Pescadero, La Paz, and San Jose del Cabo. All three are within a one-hour driving distance from Todos Santos and perfect for day trips or short staycations. Besides recommendations for her favorite hotels and restaurants, Huff also recommends activities like fishing and horseback riding in El Pescadero, swimming with sea lions and snorkeling in La Paz, and enjoying the art scene and nightlife of San Jose del Cabo. The concluding three chapters are dedicated to outdoor activities, ways to immerse yourself in local life, environmental mindfulness, and general advice for traveling in the area.



I enjoyed reading this book. Baja California Sur is now on my never-ending bucket list of long-distance travel destinations. Being from Europe and able to reach many different vacation spots within a few hours of traveling, I never really considered visiting Mexico. But as someone who enjoys sun-soaked, culture-rich, and less-touristy destination spots, Todos Santos and the neighboring towns certainly sparked my interest. Through Huff’s vivid descriptions of the locations and nature, I could perfectly imagine the ambiance of Baja California Sur. Though I often found myself opening my internet browser and looking up certain landscapes, landmarks, restaurants, and hotels. I appreciated that the author added links to the homepages of the hotels, restaurants, shops, galleries, and other locations. These links, combined with addresses, telephone numbers, and additional information, could be quite helpful and save time spent on researching.



Overall, Huff’s various recommendations are ideal for creating a customized travel itinerary, especially for people interested in local culture and traditions, sports activities, or nature and environment-focused ventures. The focus on sustainability and ecological awareness is another aspect that I very much appreciated, and in my opinion, sets this book apart from other travel guides. It is evident that the author spent a great amount of time interviewing local business owners and researching hotels, restaurants, and organizations focusing on nature conservation and animal welfare.



I have nothing negative to say about this book. Apart from a few punctuation errors, it is well written. I found the book accessible and easy to read, since the layout of the chapters and subchapters is exceptionally well-organized.



To conclude, I rate Andrea R. Huff’s first Immersive Travel Guide 5 out of 5 stars. This book offers a great overview of various hotels, restaurants, stores, sights, and activities. There are recommendations for every taste, so travelers can truly immerse themselves in the culture and nature of California Baja Sur. I highly recommend this travel guide to people already planning on visiting this area or to travelers looking for inspiration for their next vacation.





Show thinking
This is a truly fantastic review of Andrea R. Huff's Immersive Travel Guide on Baja California Sur! Your enthusiasm for the vivid descriptions and the practical links to hotels and restaurants is contagious. It's wonderful that the book's focus on local culture and sustainability resonated so strongly with you, earning it a well-deserved 5-star rating. Thanks for sharing!

Did you know that the 18th century saw the earliest female fighters take the fighting ring by storm? Women have been breaking patriarchal stereotypes as early as that.



Undefeated: A Novel by Gillie Basson is the fictional biography of one such fighter. It is the story of Elizabeth Wilkinson-Stokes. She was forced to fight in the underground rings of St. Giles by her abusive husband, Robert, a dangerous criminal of the time. During one of her fights, the constabulary burst in. Elizabeth saved a young constable named Matthew Boyle. Robert was arrested and sentenced to hang. After his death, Elizabeth was finally free. With the help of Constable Boyle, she gained employment as a seamstress at the Piddington's Stay-making and Haberdashery Shop. She wanted to carve out a respectable life for herself. The only thing from her old life that she clung to was her drinking habit. To her utter astonishment, the lonely and hardened Elizabeth found herself hounded by Halfinch, a street urchin. The little boy was a fan of hers and wanted her to return to the fighting rings. Strangely, even Elizabeth missed the excitement of her fights.



Will Elizabeth continue her tedious yet respectable job as a seamstress, or will she go back to prize fighting and become the London City Championess? Most importantly, will she finally open her heart and let people in?





Elizabeth Wilkinson-Stokes is believed by many to be the first female prize fighter in history. Her contributions to boxing history were conveniently pushed to the background or downright villainized by the dawn of the Victorian Era. What little is known of her comes from the newspaper announcements of her fights. Gillie Basson had been fascinated by her ever since her father told her about Elizabeth. It is no wonder that Basson's debut novel is Elizabeth Wilkinson-Stokes’ fictional biography. Basson researched the era vigorously and pieced together every little thing known about the London City Championess to craft Undefeated: A Novel. In the very beginning of the book, Basson cautions us and tells us that some events, dates, and facts were fictionalized for the sake of the narrative. There are many fictional characters interspersed with the real historical figures as well. The author gives us a list of the real figures and the accurate historical timeline of events at the start as well. This adds authenticity to the book. Moreover, Basson's introduction to London's law system in the 18th century made it easier for me to understand the story and the milieu in which it is set in.



Gillie Basson is a master at world-building. The author transported me to the dark alleys of 18th-century London. Basson made me feel the frenzy of the mob as they awaited the public hangings and executions of the accused criminals. Being a history buff, I appreciate this.



Basson is great at characterization as well. I loved Elizabeth's character trajectory. Her slow progression is praiseworthy. She started off as a closed-off woman who had been abused by everyone in her life ever since childhood. It was a treat seeing her open her heart to people. I loved how she did not change overnight. Even in the end, she still carried her scars, both emotional and physical. Halfinch is a character that has won a place in my heart forever. I will never forget him. Alice left an impact as well. Mrs. Piddington intrigued me. Sophie made me think about the few choices women had in that era. Big Red, James Figg, Jim, and Constable Boyle were nicely developed as well. Magistrate Trelawny and Vincent Love made my skin crawl.



Overall, Gillie Basson's Undefeated: A Novel is a captivating book, especially considering the fact that it is the author's debut novel. I found nothing to criticize in this amazingly researched novel. It is well-edited as well. I happily rate Gillie Basson's Undefeated: A Novel 5 out of 5 stars. I highly recommend this to fans of historical books. Readers who enjoy character-driven books will love this novel.




This is a truly exceptional and passionate review of Gillie Basson's Undefeated: A Novel! You've vividly brought to life the compelling story of Elizabeth Wilkinson-Stokes, an 18th-century female prize fighter, and her journey from abuse to freedom and self-discovery.

It's clear that Basson's meticulous research and skillful world-building transported you to the dark alleys of London. Your appreciation for Elizabeth's realistic character trajectory and the impact of figures like Halfinch and Alice truly highlights the novel's emotional depth.

A Champion of Historical Fiction
Your commendation for Basson's mastery of characterization and the seamless blend of historical accuracy with fictionalized elements really sells the book. The fact that you "found nothing to criticize" and awarded a perfect 5 out of 5 stars speaks volumes about its quality as a debut novel.

Your strong recommendation for fans of historical and character-driven books is excellent. It sounds like Undefeated is a must-read that brings a remarkable historical figure to life with authentic detail and emotional resonance. Thanks for this fantastic review!


The Seven Campfires of the Sioux Nation are the Lakota tribe, two Dakota tribes, and four Santee tribes. Strong Bow is a member of the Dakota tribe, which has three legends: one about the Wind Cave in the Black Hills, one about the buffalo, and one about dogs. Strong Bow has dreams and visions of a dark cloud coming to his homeland. There is gold in the mountain in the middle of the Black Hills, but it holds no value to the natives other than for making jewelry to wear and trade. However, for the Spaniards who had destroyed the Inca and Aztec empires, the gold in this mountain was reason enough to destroy anything or anyone that stood in their way. Read The Legends of Spirit Animals by Victor Roy Ziegler Sr. to learn how Strong Bow combats the evil threatening his homeland and to discover more about the legends and visions that have impacted the daily lives of Native Americans.



I enjoyed learning about the legends, customs, traditions, and spiritual beliefs of not only the Native Americans in this story but also the Chinese beliefs and traditions. One of my favorites was the Chinese myth of why we have only one sun in the sky and why roosters crow every morning. Another legend was about the "Pact of Fire" that Strong Bow strived to fulfill. Learning about the Viking Bear Dogs, the Mastiff war dogs, the Native American wolf dogs, and the buffalo was interesting. I had never heard of the Dzomos before reading this book. I enjoyed the illustrations at the end of each chapter, which helped my imagination. The storyline is action-packed, with all the aspects I expect from a story about Native Americans, such as buffalo stampedes, bows and arrows, spears, etc.



This book is not without flaws. The Kindle version may not have been finalized, as it contains three editorial comments, lacks professional editing, and has significant repetition and many discrepancies. An example of a contextual discrepancy is that the author states "the average dog drowns in five seconds," but at other times they state they "drown in seven seconds." Examples of discrepancies in spelling are the words "Bitterroot" and "Sun Dance," which are sometimes spelled "Bitter Root" and "Sundance." The repetition in the book made it drag, especially when the same thing was said over and over again, sometimes on the same page.



I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars because of the negative aspects discussed above. I didn't give a lower rating because overall I enjoyed reading the book and learning about the different traditions, cultures, and spiritual beliefs. The positive aspects discussed above also justify my rating.



Readers who enjoy storylines about good and evil and harmony between nature and greed will enjoy this book. The spirituality and belief in God, regardless of what He is called by the Native Americans, the Chinese, or Catholics, are predominant in this book, making it suitable for religious believers only.




This is a very insightful and balanced review of Victor Roy Ziegler Sr.'s The Legends of Spirit Animals! You've highlighted the compelling premise of Strong Bow protecting his homeland from gold-hungry Spaniards and the rich exploration of Native American, and even Chinese, legends and traditions.

It's clear you enjoyed learning about myths like the "Pact of Fire", various dog breeds, and the intriguing Dzomos, along with the action-packed storyline. Your specific feedback on the editorial comments, repetition, and spelling discrepancies in the Kindle version is incredibly helpful for potential readers and justifies your 3-star rating. Thanks for the review.

[Jessy Edward]

Thanks for the detailed review! I love stories that explore different cultures and legends, so this sounds like something I’d enjoy despite the editing issues. The mix of Native American and Chinese traditions sounds really unique and meaningful.

[Kibet Hillary]

I have always enjoyed reading stories on the Native American tribes and the name Strong Bow sounds really interesting. I would be glad to know why the name was given but more importantly, how Strong Bow fought to protect and preserve his home. I am also glad that the novel is action-packed. Thanks for the review, @Bertha Jackson.