Icarus Down - James Bow

Icarus Down
James Bow
Scholastic Canada
ISBN 9781443139137
eISBN 9781443139144


I have read two other books by James Bow and greatly enjoyed them, but this book takes my appreciation of his writing to a whole new level. It was interesting I was reading both this book, and The Swan Riders - Prisoners of Peace book 2 by his wife Erin Bow at the same time. I was reading the eBook of this and a printed advance copy of Swan Riders. Slowly this book started monopolizing more and more of my time until I rushed through to finish it first. It got to the point where I just could not put this book down, I ended up taking a long lunch at work to finish it one day.

This story is gripping with a great intensity even with the slow pace of the story and is compelling in the message it conveys and how it is presented. It a world founded on lies and secrets a group of humans spread across thirteen cities suspended in chasms live a perilous life. The sun will easily kill humans if in it directly for long, but there are monsters in the fog below on the ground. Much of the technology that brought them here was lost in the first few days because of how harsh an environment it is and wiring just fried. And now their world is about to be turned upside down.

Simon Daud just wanted to be a pilot. And on his final flight test something goes terribly wrong. His brother is lost and he is horribly burned. But he survived. But soon his life is in upheaval as he finds out secrets his friends, his brother and even his mother had kept from him. He must decide if he will help the group known as grounders. But all that changes when his city is sabotaged and crashed to the ground. And with that he is abandoned to the fog forest. And this is where things get even more interesting. Tic Tic Tic.

 This book as mentioned was very hard to put down. In some ways it reminds me of reading Dune by Frank Herbert when I was much younger. And it is also reminiscent of some themes Robert A. Heinlein, especially Stanger in a Strange Land.  Humans who want to leave earth and the veil we have done to one another, only to succumb to what we hate most. The masses deceived and fooled by a few for many, many years. And learning to accept the self through finally understanding the alien, and through that recognising the alien within us all.

The characters in this story are masterfully written, from Simon and Eliza to the nefarious Tal. The characters are one of this books greatest strengths. Another is the pace of the plot, the time travelling and learning. The discoveries  and having to learn to accept and live with them. And I loved how the story was told back and forth, the first part of the book is Simon's story and then it is told back and forth from both Simon and Eliza or  EK-TAAK-TOCK-TAAK, point of view.

Overall I cannot think of a single criticism of this book. The closest would maybe be that I wish it was written in such a way that the story would continue. This is wonderful read in a classic science fiction style and I wish I could give it more than 5 stars!

Books by James Bow:
Icarus Down

The Unwritten Books:
The Unwritten Girl
Fathom Five
The Young City

Mysteries Revealed:
Animal Mysteries Revealed
Earth Mysteries Revealed
Space Mysteries Revealed

Non-Fiction:
Lamborghini: Superstar Cars
Earth's Secrets: Invisible Worlds
Deep Space Extremes
Baseball: Sports Science
Cycling: Sports Science
Saving Endangered Plants and Animals: Science Solves It
Rescue Missions: Science Solves It

Author Profile and Interview with James Bow

Product Review - Vegan Recovery Matrix - Paleo Ethics

Vegan Recovery Matrix
Paleo Ethics
ASIN B01FK3FNP8

This is an interesting product. I enjoy it, but I believe there is room for improvement. It is very interesting having a recover drink that is warm, or hot to drink. It has a great taste, it is much like drinking a neo citron or peppermint tea cross. The flavour is good. And a nice warm cup at the end of the day for recovery is a great idea.

Each scoop of Paleo Ethics Vegan Recovery Matrix contains a mix of Pea Protein, Zinc, Magnesium, Coconut Oil Powder, Gellan Gum, Stevia, Natural Vanilla Flavour, Peppermint Natural Flavour, Natural Chai Flavour. But what I love most about this product is also what it does not contain, non GMO, no corn, no soy, gluten free, no eggs no dairy, no added sugar and no fillers.

But there are some drawbacks. The mix separates quickly as it cools. So you either need to drink it really quick. Or keep stirring as you drink. Also once it separates or cools it starts to have a slightly chalky taste that is not present when it is really hot.

Overall it is a good product. I have used it every day for 2 weeks and really think it is a great way to cap off the evening, and set up the recovery formula is a great kick off for the next day.

I can highly recommend it.

Reviews of Paleo Ethics Products:
Organic Super Greens 
Vegan Recovery Matrix

Super Serum Vanilla

A Break in the Chain - Chris d'Lacey

A Break in the Chain
Chris d'Lacey

Joanna Carey (Illustrator)
A Banana Book
Heinemann
ISBN 9780778709770




I have now read 15 books by Chris d'Lacey in under a year. With every book I enjoy his skill as a writer more. He has a way of drawing readers into the subjects. It was wonderful to go back and read this one of his earliest books. My son and I tracked down that one after reading A Hole in the Pole. It has most of the same characters and continues on the same track. And again it was great seeing precursors to characters from both The Dragons of Wayward Crescent and The Last Dragon Chronicles. All three of my children love this book and many other we have read by d'Lacey.

This is the continuing story of Billy Cockcroft, but this time instead of being concerned about the hole in the ozone at the North Pole, the focus is on the effect of an oil spill in the arctic. This time Billy becomes responsible to explaining about the Polar Bear's food chain. But the TV news about the oil spill and the effect it is having. Soon Billy has another mystical experience with the Polar Bear Lorel and through that mobilizes his class to raise money to help with the clean-up in the artic. They soon raise awareness locally and through the news much further afield. 

The story is very well written. It has great characters, an interesting plot and a great pace for early readers transitioning from picture books to early chapter books. My children loved the clean-up project they tried. They were also fascinated with the descriptions of early computers and computers arriving in the class room. They asked if that was what it was like. 

The illustrations really add to the story. Towards the centre of the book is a full double page illustration that my son has spent a lot of time going back to. They are bright, and really are fun.

Chris d'Lacey is currently my favourite author. I have acquired all of his eBooks and have been slowing tracking down his older out of print books, like this one. I have yet to encounter a story that my children do not love, and that I also greatly enjoy. This was a wonderful read and is well worth tracking down. Chris d'Lacey writes in such an engaging style that children love his writings and those who read to and with them will also. I can highly recommend this book.

Books by Chris d'Lacey:
Dragons of Wayward Crescent
1 Gruffen (2009)
2 Gauge (2008)
3 Glade (2009)
4 Grabber (2010)

The Erth Dragons
1 The Wearle (2015)
2. Dark Wyng (2016)
3. The New Age (2018)

The Last Dragon Chronicles with David Rain
1 The Fire Within (2001)
2 Icefire (2003)
3 Fire Star (2005)
4 The Fire Eternal (2007)
5 Dark Fire (2009)
6 Fire World (2011)
7 The Fire Ascending (2012)
Rain and Fire: A Guide to the Last Dragon Chronicles (2010)

The Unicorne Files
1 A Dark Inheritance (2014)
2 Alexander's Army (2015)
3 A Crown of Dragons (2016)

Fly, Cherokee Fly Series
Fly, Cherokee Fly
Pawnee Warrior

Other Books
Henry Spaloosh! 
Horace
Shrinking Ralph Perfect
The Snail Patrol
The Table Football League
Riverside United
Lofty
From E to You
Scupper Hargreaves, Football Genie
The Salt Pirates of Skegness
Falling for Mandy
The Prompter

Picture Books:
A Hole at the Pole
Juggling with Jeremy
A Break in the Chain
Read With Bubble and Float
Dexter's Journey
Frankin's Bear

Contributed to:
On Me ‘ead, Santa
Nice One, Santa
The Usborne Book of Christmas Stories
Heroes and Villains
In the Frame
Midnight Feast

Author Profile and Interview with Chris d'Lacey.

The Chameleon - Merrick Rosenberg - Life-Changing Wisdom for Anyone Who has a Personality or Knows Someone Who Does

The Chameleon:
Life-Changing Wisdom for Anyone Who has a Personality or Knows Someone Who Does
Merrick Rosenberg
Take Flight Learning
ISBN 9780996411004
ASIN B01A7SAADQ


This book was an incredible read. It takes the personality types of the DISC style and convert's them into birds. And then through a series of short parables the different birds learn to maximize the advantages of their type and how to overcome some of the weaknesses. The material is very easy to access based on the way it is presented. This is one of the best personal development books I have ever read. The Chameleon: Life-Changing Wisdom for Anyone Who has a Personality or Knows Someone Who Does by Merrick Rosenberg. The book reads much like Patrick Lencioni's leadership books, for each chapter is a parable teaching a lesson based on the bird types.

The types are:
Dominance - Eagle
Influence - Interactive - Parrot
Steadiness - Supportive - Dove
Conscientiousness - Logical - Owl

But it is also part the 5 Love Languages and part stoic wisdom. Merrick uses the birds because once people hear him speak about the birds they never forget their bird type. But for years people came up to him saying they had heard him speak, or read about DISC bust usually were not sure what their type was.

The description of the book is: "Laugh And Learn Through Twenty-Two Entertaining Fables That Reflect The Challenges You Experience In Your Life story.
Guided by an all-knowing chameleon, four unassuming birds play the roles of the personality styles. The insights gained from their interactions and struggles will lift you to new heights of understanding yourself. Let the Wisdom of The Chameleon Enable You to Effortlessly Adapt to the People and Situations Around You.

Join an Eagle, Parrot, Dove, and Owl on their enlightening journey as you learn to:

• Capitalize on your strengths-
• Deepen your most important relationships
• Enhance your career
• Live a more fulfilling life

This book will be an excellent resource for both your personal and your professional live. The lessons learned will be applicable in your interactions with others. I already have plans to read it again and also check other Merrick's other book Taking Flight!

It is a great little read and I thing you will be interested in it, and will greatly benefit from this great read.

Books by Merrick Rosenberg:
Taking Flight!: Master the DISC Styles to Transform Your Career, Your Relationships... Your Life
The Chameleon: Life-Changing Wisdom for Anyone Who has a Personality or Knows Someone Who Does

Product Review - Organic Super Greens - Paleo Ethics

Organic Super Greens
Paleo Ethics
ASIN B01FK3FFYW
Years ago I took a Greens product every day for a long, long time. It took me a while to find one I liked and I stuck with it. Eventually the manufacturer changed the formula and I could not stand the taste. I have tried over a dozen greens products in the last few years and have yet to find one I really like and was at a price point I was willing to spend. That was until I came across this one. I have finally found a Greens supplement that is very palatable, has quality ingredients and at a great price.

Each scoop of Paleo Ethics Super Greens contains a mix of Greens, Fruit, Veggies, Super foods and herbs. It contains organic versions of the following:
Spirulina, Spinach, Kale, Parsley, Kelp, Moringa Leaf, Chlorella, Apple, Sweet Potato, Carrot, Broccoli, Red Beet, Coconut, Acai, Pomegranate, Goji, Blueberry, Greet Tea, Grape Seed, Ginseng, Ginger, Milk Thistle and Licorice Root.

What I like about this product most is that it has a very mild flavour. It has not been made overly sweet. It is great mixed with juice and is palatable enough to even have just with water.  And unlike a lot of other greens I have tried this one completely dissolves even with room temperature liquid. There is no aftertaste and no sludge when you get to the end.

Another great benefit is that this product is hypoallergenic, it is egg, GMO, gluten, dairy, soy, nuts, corn and sugar free.

This is the best greens product I have tried and I have gone through dozens. I am glad to have found a produce that I can use day in and day out for that extra oomph. My plans are to use this as a daily supplement and also a second dose occasionally on those days that take more out of you or when fighting off a flu or cold.

This was excellent and I look forward to trying more products from Paleo Ethics!

Reviews of Paleo Ethics Products:
Organic Super Greens 
Vegan Recovery Matrix

Super Serum Vanilla

A Shepherd in Combat Boots: Chaplain Emil Kapaun of the 1st Cavalry Division - William L. Maher

A Shepherd in Combat Boots:
Chaplain Emil Kapaun of the 1st Cavalry Division
William L. Maher
Burd Street Press
ISBN 9781572493056
ISBN 9781572490697


I do not read a lot of physical books any more. In fact in the range of 30 or 40 eBooks to every physical book. But this book came highly recommended to me and I am very grateful I took the risk. I did not know much about the book, the author or even the subject. But I respected the friend who recommended it enough to take the risk.

This was a very powerful story. My own grandfather served in Korea with the Canadian Forces, and though he was Scotch Presbyterian, and did not like to tell stories about his time in service, we had heard a few over the years. Nothing like the stories in this book. The description of the book is:

"Early in the Korean War Chinese forces surrounded troops of the 1st Cavalry Division. Trying to escape-the American soldiers warned Catholic Chaplain Emil Kapaun. However, he refused to leave his wounded comrades and became a POW. His decision marked a turning point in the inspiring life of this young catholic priest.

Raised on a farm in Kansas, Kapaun served as pastor in his hometown until he became an army chaplain during World War II. The book describes the beginning of the Korean conflict and how Chinese forces surrounded Kapaun and other Cavalrymen in the freezing hills of North Korea.

Kapaun's faith and courage on the battlefield and in prison set an example for hundreds of young American captives. When they were starving he stole food for them. If the men needed encouragement he defied prison rules and prayed with them. When the communist guards mocked his faith in God, the chaplain publicly defended his beliefs.

When Kapaun became sick, the communists denied him medicine and watched him die in their vermin-infested "hospital." However, they could not extinguish the memories of how he served other prisoners. The army awarded the chaplain the Distinguished Service Cross and the Vatican named him "Servant of God." This book is a well-documented biography of an extraordinary person."

This book does more than that though. Through reading the life story of this farm boy from Kansas, who became a priest and twice volunteered for active service as a military Chaplin is inspiration.  This book is a challenge. It will challenge our simple life, and our faith. While reading this book and looking at Emil's example I have found myself praying more, trying harder to be an example each and every day. Giving 100% to my work, my co-worker's and my friends and family.

The first three quarters of the book is the back story. Emil's life up and including Capture by the Chinese army in North Korea. The last part of the book is life in prison camps and as a POW.

Emil was a man's man, he was kind, generous, caring and he lived to serve. This story has so inspired me I have already picked up another biography to read. His canonization process is underway. And I hope to see it completed. The words others spoke of him, other Christians, Jews, even Muslims and of course Catholics attest to his influence on all he met.  And based on the samples of his writings in this book, I can only hope that someday we will see published volumes of his letters, sermons or academic work.

This book was an incredible read. To witness someone living such character in the face of the terrible conditions can give hope to all of us who strive to live and be more for God.

Reviews of other books by and about Father Emil Kapaun:

Blessings from the Battlefield - Edited by Thomas R. O'Brien

Heroic Catholic Chaplains: Stories of the Brave and Holy Men Who Dodged Bullets While Saving Souls

A Shepherd in Combat Boots: Chaplain Emil Kapaun of the 1st Cavalry Division - William Maher

The Miracle of Father Kapaun: Priest, Soldier and Korean War Hero - Roy Wenzl and Travis Heying

Chaplains in Action - Rosemarian V. Staudacher and H. Lawrence Hoffman  - Vision Book #53

Virtue Series - Kapaun's Men - Formed

Stations of the Cross with Servant of God Emil Kapaun – Scott Carter (Editor)

Kapaun's Battle - Jeff Gress

Prayer for the Beatification and Canonization of Father Emil Kapaun

...

(Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: A Year of Reading Intention - Catholic Reading!)

Reviews of other books about Military Chaplains:
The Grunt Padre: Father Vincent Robert Capodanno Vietnam 1966-1967 - Daniel L. Mode
The Priest Barracks Dachau 1938-1945 - Guillaume Zeller
Blessings from the Battlefield - Edited by Thomas R. O'Brien
Heroic Catholic Chaplains: Stories of the Brave and Holy Men Who Dodged Bullets While Saving Souls

Fr Willie Doyle & World War I: A Chaplain's Story - K.V. Turley
Armed with Faith The Life of Father Vincent R. Capodanno, MM - Stephen M. Digiovanni

Fighting Father Duffy - Jim Bishop, Virginia Lee Bishop and H. Lawrence Hoffman

...

For all reviews and articles about Military Chaplains click here.

Yesterday Again - Barry Lyga - Archvillain Book 3

Yesterday Again
Archvillain Book 3
Barry Lyga 
Scholastic
ISBN 9780545196543
eISBN 9780545520324
ASIN B00ANT22MC


When it comes to finishing series sometimes I hesitate to read the last book. This was one of those times. I read books 1 and 2 as soon as they came out but for some reason it took me a long time to read book three. It part I had heard that the author hoped to make 4 books and had to cap the series because of the publisher. And in part after the second book I could just not see how it could all tie together. I am really glad I finally picked it up and finished it, Barry Lyga did it again and crafted an amazing end to a series. 

In this final volume Kyle Camden is not himself. He regrets his actions for the first time. He cannot hardly look at his best friend let alone talk to her. He is focused on Mighty Mike still but now also fascinated with finding a way to undo his mistakes and ease his regret by going back in time. But things do not always go as planned, especially for a super genius and his ipod with intelligence to match. Planning to head back in time after constructing a time machine from an old motorcycle and lots of electronics. But he overshoots and ends up in 1987. Meeting a younger version of the Sheriff Munroe, and even his father.

In part this book reads as homage to Back to the Future, and in part like Meet the Robinsons. The story throws some interesting twists. And in fact I would say they are 3 great surprises in this book. 

It was a great read and As mentioned earlier I should have read it much sooner. If you have read the earlier books, you owe it to yourself to see the story through. If you have not this trilogy is well worth the time.  


So read them and find out about Archvillain, Archnemesis and Project Irony! 

Books by Barry Lyga:
I Hunt Killers:
I Hunt Killers (2012)
Game - I Hunt Killers #2 (2013)
Blood of My Blood - I Hunt Killers # 3 (2014)

Every Hunter is Hunter (2026)

…

I Hunt Killers Short Stories:
Down Time (2018)
Lucky Day (2014)
Career Day (2012)
Neutral Mask (2013)
Blood Boy (2014)

…

Before the Hunt (2025)

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Brookdale High:
The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl (2006)
Boy Toy (2007)
Hero Type (2008)
Goth Girl Rising (2009)
Bang (2017)

...

Archvillian:
Archvillain #1 (2010)
The Mad Mask - Archvillian #2 (2011)
Yesterday Again - Archvillian #3 (2013)

...

The Flash Series:
Hocus Pocus (2017)
Johnny Quick (2018)
Tornado Twins (2018)

…

Crossover Crisis Series:

Green Arrow's Perfect Shot (2019)

Supergirl's Sacrifice (2020)

The Legends of Forever (2021)

…

Other Books By Barry Lyga:
Graphic Novels in Your Media Center: A definitive Guide (with Alison A.W. Lyga - 2004)
Wolverine: Worst Day Ever (2009)
MangaMan (with Colleen Dorren 2011)
Unsoul'd (2013)
After The Red Rain (2015)
The Secret Sea (2016)
Thanos Titan Consumed (2018)
The Hive (2019)

...

Short Story Project 2017
The Ghosts at 95
Loving The University
The Ideas of March
Four Minutes
Pulse vs. the Killing Fiend
Her Decade
The Life Cycle of Stars (Ignition)
Bobby
Trading Worlds
When I Die
The Autopsying of Michael Edward Morgan
Meet Me Tonight
...

Contributed to:
Geektastic (2009)
Who Done It? (2013)

Author Profile and Interview with Barry Lyga
Author Profile and Interview with Randall Banner