2211 Umbra: A Future History Novel by: Grigor Fedan BOOK REVIEW

2211 Umbra: A Future History Novel

by: Grigor Fedan


Reviewed For +Readers' Favorite 

The legacy of the first African American President turns out to be a wake-up call to all people that we have no come as far as we thought we had in terms of equality, and so the next years are spent actively making changes until 200 years into the future the world is something altogether different, there is no race, no money, no politics.  Welcome to 2211 Umbra A Future History Novel, where people are split into tiers: regents, that have ruling powers, first tiers, second tiers and so on.  Anyone, through education and hard work can promote themselves through the ranks up to a first tier, and with support maybe even become a regent.  Religion and faith in a God plays no part in this society, those people have all abdicated to Texas, with its own government. Soon a zealot with use religion and God as a vessel to exact revenge on a regent he feels slighted him, cutting off Texas from the rest of the world and starting a "holy war".  Grigor Fedan gives us a look at a future society that is once again making the same mistakes as the past, think Stalin and Hitler, because they have forgotten the lessons of the past.

2211 Umbra is a wonderful tale in that you have this "perfect" society that has taken away the need for money or politics, and made everyone equal so to speak, or that was the original plan and those in it still think they are doing that, but there are some outside that don't see it that way. Of course they are living in their scientific world and not thinking about God, and they don't realize what they are missing. Only when they are faced with this war, that divides them do they start to understand things.  Grigor Fedan mixes future with past history, religion and science and what comes out is a wonderful tale of life that needs it all to be well-rounded and fulfilled.  Great story for teens up through adults!

Taking Elyse by Jody Fife BOOK REVIEW

Taking Elyse
by Jody Fife

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Reviewed for +Readers' Favorite 

Elyse in on the way home from her best friends, when the unthinkable happens, she is kidnapped. What unfolds in Taking Elyse is two-fold, first it is Elyse's struggle to stay alive and alert with her kidnappers, and at the same time leave small clues behind for the cops to find her. One the other side it is the inter-woven tell of a Detective who cares about this case and how it effects his family. Then there is Elyse's family, her husband and children, her sister's and best friend, not to mention the whole community where it seems Elyse was just a favorite person. So many different people play roles in finding bits and pieces of the clues that have to be put together by Detective Macie, it is truly a work of art in how it all comes together. Jody Fife presents a different take on a kidnapping, and how it can effect people.

Taking Elyse also has a strong religious theme to the story in that a particular faith is very important to Elyse and plays a large part in her communications and interactions with everyone we see her encounter. The whole kidnapping and why remains a mystery until the very end and it is revealed who was behind the whole thing, but each person that is suspected has their own reasons, motives and seems like they might be the one, right up until the end. Jody Fife does a remarkable job keeping the mystery going until the end, not tipping her hand too early in the book. This is a great read for all ages young adult and up.

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