Spirit of the Tiger by Nathan Veerasamy

Spirit of the Tiger is a collection of three novellas all based on actual events in Singapore at different times in its history. There are links between the three stories in the characters but not the story lines.

I loved all three of these beautifully written stories and learned a lot about the country, its history and its people.

First story is about the author’s maternal great grandfather. It begins with the main character, Yahng, performing a ritual requested by his dying father. He does not believe in black magic, or for that matter any form of magic but he had promised his father so he sees it through.

Yahng unsuccessfully challenges the deep superstition of his community and his evil brother but is supported by the wise man of the village, Jenang.

After moving to Singapore, Yahng is required to act as guide for a tiger hunt. It is a role he is not comfortable with knowing the tiger will be shot at the end of the day. The final outcome is touching. 

The Afterword to this story poignantly draws a comparison between superstition and the present day culture of misinformation. It is a piece I will read and re-read again.

The second story is based on the author’s father’s exploits in World War II and gives the reader an insight into a little known aspect of the war in Singapore when a young man and his mentor form a resistance group to fight the Japanese.

The final story opens with a beautiful description of a sad, decaying but once happy home.

Two families, one rich one poor, are brought together through the courtship of three brothers and three sisters. Following a murder the families are unable to come to grips with the thought that one of them may be a killer.  The investigation also reveals that some of the family members are not who they were thought to be.

My rating 5*

The Show by John A Heldt

If you have read and enjoyed John Heldt’s book The Mine then you will certainly equally enjoy The Show. It is an excellent sequel to an excellent book.

There is some necessary recapping of The Mine storyline but Heldt keeps it short enough not to bore a reader familiar with Grace and Joel’s story but enough to set the scene for readers starting with this book.

It begins when Grace attempts to find her time travelling boyfriend. They had met in 1941 but he has decided to return to his own time 2000.

How they meet again in 2000 is creative, different and enjoyable.

Everything is perfect for the reunited couple. They marry and have twin daughters but once again, this time by accident, Grace enters a time portal and travel back to 1918.

Unable to return she starts a new life, meets family members and falls in love with a soldier returned from the war. She also discovers she is pregnant to Joel. But what decision would she make if an opportunity arises? I’ll leave the reader to discover that.

Heldt is a master story teller and the historical facts demonstrate his skills as a researcher. He cleverly weaves fiction with historical events. His characters are likeable and believable. His story telling is engrossing and it is easy to get lost in the story; feel the atmosphere, hear the sounds and experience life of the time.

Like his other stories you will guess and re-guess what the ending will be and I am guessing you won’t pick it, or even some of the twists and turns within the story.

I still have one more book of John Heldt’s to review and two more to read. I am already a big fan of his writing and hope he continues with stories of this quality. He deserves to become a best-selling author.

My rating 5*

I Will Never Forget: A Daughter's Story of Her Mother's Arduous and Humorous Journey Through Dementia by Elaine C Pereira

Elaine Pereira describes dementia as being “devious, indiscriminate, and ruthless, invading the mind and distorting fiction into one’s reality.”

Her story of her mother’s gradual mental deterioration caused by this condition is written plainly but emotionally. It is easy to understand the medical aspects of the illness but the author’s use of language is eloquent.

The format of her story gives clearly describes of a wonderful lady, loving mother and fun loving person with comparisons of how the disease gradually diminished, not only her abilities, but also the traits Elaine recalls that made her delightful lady. 

Throughout the story she also describes how her mother and she dealt with the loss of Elaine’s two brothers, sister in law and father’s debilitating stroke.

It is not just a story of dealing with and understanding dementia. It is a heart moving story of a family’s love for and commitment to each other. I highly recommend it as informative and moving reading. 

It is extremely deserving of the two book awards to-date.

I should add that the author is also donating a percentage of the book sales to help fund Alzheimer’s research and support programs.

My rating 5*

Ethriel: Blood Bonds (Thundous) by Joe Walker

This is the second book I have been asked to review that is not one of my preferred genres so I have no comparison to other books of this ilk. In fact I would normally walk straight past the fantasy section of the bookshop.

However, after reading the beginning of the book I was hooked from the start and grateful for the opportunity to read it.

The prologue sets the scene of a world divided between good and evil and how that came about.

Blood Bonds, the story of four unlikely allies, two humans, a beautiful blue elf princess and a giant half orc body guard.

The story begins when two slaves escape their cruel captor and enter the magical Golden Kingdom, a land of elves and unicorns.

Together they lead their people into battle against, goblins, evil green orcs, ice giants, giant spiders and trolls.

The succinct descriptive language paints clear word pictures and makes the story move along quickly. It is definitely compelling reading. The battle scenes in particular evoke emotion from the reader – emotions of panic, fear, excitement and success.

I am eagerly looking forward to the next instalment.

My rating 4*