Tag: author anthony avina

Bright Midnights (The Limerent Series Book 2) by LS Delorme Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A young woman meets a young man in her dreams that changes everything in the waking world in author LS Delorme’s “Bright Midnights,” the second book in the Limerent series.

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The Synopsis

Most high school students find life challenging, but 17-year old Amelie has a lot more to contend with than typical teenage angst. Ever since she turned 11, others have been irresistibly drawn to her—with tragic consequences. Her only escape is at night when she flies to different times and places through her “dreams”. Her life begins to change when, on one of her flights, she meets Clovis, an alluring and mysterious young man who hides a secret.

As Amelie finds herself increasingly drawn to him, she learns his story, how it intertwines with her own and finally discovers how to live her life in the real world. Until her own secrets are revealed to the wrong people and that world turns upside down.

Bright Midnights is the second in the Limerent Series and continues in the thought-provoking and beautiful style of the first as it considers different dimensions, different ways of looking at the world, and the transcendental power of love.

The Review

This was such a powerful and compelling read. As a newcomer to the series, the author did an amazing job of creating a story and world that felt self-contained and yet connected to the series through the powerful metaphysical nature of the plot points. The grounded nature of the protagonists life is greatly balanced with the supernatural elements of her life walking through other worlds in her mind and the powerful imagery the author uses in their writing style makes this come alive on the page.

The heart of this narrative was in the character development of the narrative, especially the protagonist. The complex and even heartbreaking dynamics within her own family and the people in her life are explored in great detail, and the connection she forms to this mystery boy in the other world takes some truly unexpected turns. Yet it was Amelie’s unique ability to sense things in others around her that was so fascinating. As someone who has family who can get vibes and feelings off of others in similar ways, the exploration of this phenomenon in such a dynamic way was truly compelling.

The Verdict

Thought-provoking, emotionally-driven, and memorable, author LS Delorme’s “Bright Midnights” is a must-read metaphysical fantasy romance novel. The dark tones of the world Amelie finds herself in in her waking life and the dynamic worlds she immerses herself into and the rich mythos behind it all will keep readers invested until the book’s final chapters. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Lexy Delorme was born in San Diego, California. After graduating from the University of North Carolina School of law, various internships and years working in risk, tax, family, and international law, she now classifies herself as a recovering attorney.

With a father who served in the US Military, Lexy had a wandering lifestyle from her earliest days and in her time has been a pop musician, a science geek and a writer for magazines like Bonjour Paris and Playtimes. Throughout all of her different careers, her love of fiction has been a mainstay.

Within this eclectic life, she was also one of the first employees at 23andMe, a genomics and biotechnology company based in Mountain View, California and that experience influenced the genetic aspects of her Limerent Series, of which Caio is the first book.

For as long as she can remember she’s had characters in her head. As a child, these were the friends she wished to have. As a young woman, the lovers she wanted to find or the people she wanted to become. Writing fiction novels allows her the chance to give these characters a background, a story and a voice.

Having lived in in 3 continents, 9 US states, and 21 cities around the world, including London and Hong Kong, Lexy now lives in Paris with her French husband and two very cool sons. She is currently working on the next books in the Limerent Series.

https://www.lsdelorme.com/

Human Again: In the A.I. Age by J.D. Macpherson Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Learn how to recognize and use AI productively while maintaining your own identity and not losing what it means to be human in author J.D. Macpherson’s “Human Again: In the A.I. Age.”

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The Synopsis

Are you using AI or is AI using you?

In a world where algorithms shape thought and automation floods the creative field, Human Again is a field-tested playbook for staying awake, original, and alive in the age of machines. Part reflection, part practical guide, it invites readers to explore identity and inspiration in real time, learning to think with AI rather than be replaced by it.

Blending cultural insight, personal experience, and practical tools, Macpherson explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping creativity, work, and identity, and how to harness it without losing yourself.

You will learn how to:

  • Ask sharper questions that create leverage, not noise
  • Build a High Signal Question Engine to think deeper and faster
  • Use the Socratic method and mindfulness to train deeper thinking
  • Recognize the “qualia,” the unspeakable textures of human experience, that no algorithm can touch
  • Protect your authenticity, taste, and voice while others sound the same
  • Learn how to compound clarity and creativity

Whether you are a professional, a creator, or simply curious about what is next, Human Again shows how to use AI better than anyone around you while keeping what no algorithm can replicate: your judgment, conscience, and imagination.

Because finding identity and inspiration in the AI age begins with remembering what it means to be human.

The Review

This book was so insightful and engaging right from the start. One of the most difficult debates in recent years has been the use of A.I. and both the good and bad it does for humanity. While extremes paint AI as the future SKYNET promised in the hit film franchise The Terminator, the negatives being focused on right now is AI replacing jobs and humans altogether in professional spaces. Yet the author refocuses that conversation, exploring the need to work in tandum with AI as not just a tool, but a partner to unlock one’s own potential and success in work. 

The thing that resonated with me in this book was the clear and conversational tone of the author’s writing style and the techniques the author displayed in working with AI. The techniques included INK, or Insight, Not Knowledge, which utilizes AI to provide more depth to the answers being provided instead of just quick solutions, and the Socratic method, which asks AI to look for hidden meaning or point out mistakes that may have been overlooked, and these are just two examples of the insights the author provides. 

The Verdict

Thoughtful, engaging, and memorable, author J.D. Macpherson’s “Human Again: In the AI Age” is a must-read nonfiction narrative that readers can get invested in. AI is not going away, and for this reader, I’ve always believed it was not the AI that we would fear, but like all technology, the humans who abuse it. Learning to work with AI and use it not to replace us but work in concert with it, and explaining how no matter what AI is able to create, it takes humanity to give it actual meaning, making humanity’s role in AI use truly valuable. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

J.D. Macpherson is an author and journalist who works in the messy middle—turning complex ideas into stories people actually want to read. Relentless, jargon-allergic, and unmistakably human, she cuts through hype with a reporter’s instinct. A Canadian with a background in theatre and philosophy, Macpherson loves people-watching and finding beauty in unexpected places—and has an especially soft spot for chicken katsu.

SCHEHERAZADE: A TALE FROM THE ARABIAN NIGHTS BY ALBERT SELIGMAN REVIEW

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Albert Seligman reintroduces the classic tale of Arabian Nights using original artwork and translations, as well as over 50 unique illustrations, in the book “SCHEHERZADE: A TALE FROM THE ARABIAN NIGHTS.”

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The Synopsis

“No one knows where the tales were written, except that they came out of the Far East, India, Arabia and Persia. Haroun Al Raschid, who was called The Just, was a real Eastern monarch who lived in Baghdad over eleven hundred years ago, about the same time that Charlemagne was King of France. We can believe that the tales are very old, but the most we know is that they were translated from Arabic into French in 1704-17 by a Frenchman named Galland, and that the manuscript of his translation is preserved in the French National Library. American boys first had the chance to read the notes in English about the time President Monroe was elected.” (1817) (The Junior Classics, Volume 5: Stories that never grow old, Editor William Patten, 1912).

SCHEHERAZADE

A TALE FROM THE ARABIAN NIGHTS

Dulacebooks’ new Arabian Nights series presents these tales decorated with the illustrations from the original editions of the Victorian and Golden Age. Over fifty different illustrators’ versions of these stories are reproduced here, fully restored and many in full color. These are the finest examples of the artists and illustrators of the Arabian Nights, including-

Arthur Rackham, Edmund Dulac, Kay Nielsen, René Bull , Maxfield Parrish, William H Robinson, Thomas H Robinson, Charles Robinson, Thomas Mackenzie, Walter Crane, Louis Rhead, Helen Stratton, Virginia Frances Sterrett, Elizabeth Mackinstry, John Gilbert, HJ Ford, Edward J Detmold, Eric Pape, AE Jackson, Willy Pogany, Milo Winter, Monroe S Orr, Charles Folkard, Walter Paget, William Stang, JD Batten, Frances Brundage, Gustav Dore, FOC Darley, William Harvey, the Brothers Dalziel, and many others.

The first book in the series is how the 1001 nights begin, with Scheherazade and her sister weaving the tales to her new husband Schahriar, the Sultan. The Tales in this edition are:

The Sultan and his Vow

The Fable of the Ass, the Ox, and the Laborer

The Story of the Merchant and the Genie

The History of the First Old Man and the Hind

The History of the Second Old Man and the two Black Dogs

 The Review

This book was so beautifully restored and written. The beautiful illustrations on each page were so unique and compelling, allowing the reader to feel immersed in these stories and the legends being told. The overall narrative of this sultan and his cruel turn and the young woman determined to find a way to stop his cruelty was a great way to allow the other stories to come to life, and the father’s tales helped shape the cruel nature of the world around them as he tries to desperately save his daughter from a choice that could cost her everything. 

What really made this story shine was not just the narrative and unique characters, but the cultural exploration and history that went into the book itself. The stories being told come from centuries before, and each illustration and translation of the original texts showcase the level of depth and detail the author put into bringing these classics to life once more. The imagery depicted in the book coming from both the Victorian age and the Golden Age made the stories feel more mythological in a way, and the lessons taught through these fables felt even more impactful in a world seeing so much injustice at the moment.

The Verdict

Culturally-impactful, thoughtful, and engaging, author Albert Seligman’s “SCHEHERAZADE: A TAPE FROM THE ARABIAN NIGHTS” is a must-read restoration of a classic collection of fables. The rich history and context around these stories, and the heartfelt underlying story of a father trying to protect his daughter from a cruel fate helps elevate the powerful imagery and high stakes these tales represented. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

I am a lifelong fan of illustrated books and magazines and passed many pleasant hours collecting books and sharing information and images with fellow collectors and dealers. I was especially interested in the “Golden Age of Illustration” between 1875-1925. I was a strong collector of Edmund Dulac illustrated books, and was able to photograph the complete collection of his ‘American Weekly’ magazine illustrations from the San Francisco Academy of Comic Art owned by Bill Blackbeard. ‘The American Weekly’ was the Sunday supplement for the WR Hearst newspaper chain, and boasted over 50 million readers in over 20 major markets. The complete collection of 106 illustrations is now housed at The Ohio State University in the Billy Ireland Comic Art Museum. These ‘American Weekly’ illustrations have rarely appeared in print since their publication, and this is the first complete edition.

These print editions and eBooks are intended to make more of Edmund Dulac’s beautiful watercolors and illustrations available for everyone to enjoy. The publishing business has changed considerably over the last 30 years and by taking advantage of digital technology I have been able to publish many of his famous and lesser known illustrations in my editions.

The restored collection of all 106 American Weekly front covers is available as “The American Weekly Covers of Edmund Dulac- 100th Anniversary Edition” as both an eBook and paperback. A fully restored crop of each illustration is available in the series of six smaller books, also published as an eBook or paperback. These are grouped by themes, and includes the original newspaper caption or story, when available. Some original Dulac artwork and sketches are also included.

The final publication of the series is “Edmund Dulac His American Weekly Collection” written with an introduction by Ann Hughey, who wrote the bibliography of Dulac’s book illustrations. This features the illustrations cropped and fully restored, with the original newspaper captions. All of the final series ‘Tales from the Arabian Nights’ from 1951 stories are also included.

As I wind down editions of Dulac’s ‘American Weekly’ artwork, I’ll be publishing more of other Golden Age Illustrators. “Arabian Nights Illustrated” is my first book of the series including fifty other illustrators who illustrated editions of the 1001 nights in English language editions between 1800-1950. The illustrations follow the history of printing images in books, from the earliest copper engravings through woodblocks and the development of color printing through photoproduction. I published six more Arabian Nights books, all with illustrations by Victorian and Golden Age artists and illustrators. All are available as both paperbacks and eBooks.

If anyone is wondering if I am the same author of “The Sport Band System”, indeed I am. Unfortunately, the Sport Bands are no longer being produced. After writing this instruction manual I spent my last years in the training profession at UCSF in the Dept. of Neurology. There I had the privilege of working with medical professionals and patients developing physical training rehabilitation programs for MS, stroke, PD, SCI and other neurological related maladies. I retired in 2008 and now I am enjoying my “Golden Years” working with the Dulac eBooks project.

https://dulacebooks.com/

POINT OF YOU BY THE HEARD EYE SINGLE REVIEW

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn music review, Music Reviews, reviewsLeave a comment

There is a reason some music genres and artists are considered “timeless”. The description suggests the music being played is something that can last a lifetime and beyond, allowing listeners from all age groups to be able to enjoy the sound. Finding an artist that can embody a certain genre or sound and make it feel relevant and fresh is quite the feat, and yet in The Heard Eye’s latest single, “Point of You,” that is exactly what they accomplish.

The single embodies the trio’s unique brand of fusion and funk, utilizing head-bopping bass that resonates in the listener’s chests and a welcome infusion of trumpets that helped make the single feel both dance-worthy and fun. The vocals were the perfect balance of gritty and soulful, making this feel like a late 60s, early to mid 70s era sound that became hypnotic and mesmerizing as the song went on.

The single has a cinematic quality to it as well, allowing audiences to feel transported to films such as Superbad, or indie rom-coms that start to play funk songs like this when introducing a unique character in a film. The upbeat and fresh tone of the song elevates the lyrics greatly, delving into the analysis of a relationship and the struggles that come with it. Relatable, funky, and engaging, this single is a remarkable funk fusion hit that fans of THe Heard Eye and beyond will have on their 2026 playlist before long. If you haven’t yet, download or stream the new single today!

STREAMING:
https://open.spotify.com/track/6zTNa4LBouOEeDX8V0s0CT?si=7f633b3799ef437d

VIDEO:
https://youtu.be/ZEBBwniSnjU?si=m6zvSnTvdFaZWfuF

ONLINE:
https://theheardeye.com/
https://www.facebook.com/theheardeye/
https://www.youtube.com/@theHeardEyeVideos
https://open.spotify.com/album/1V06yBLQl8wnNs4b5N1jJH?si=ENgurB53QwWG4knHDf1-MQ

SUNRISE BY LOGAN METZ SINGLE REVIEW

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn music review, Music Reviews, reviewsLeave a comment

If there is one universal theme that many artists throughout history have been able to write songs about, it is love. The first time a person meets another, when sparks fly and a person’s thoughts about the other consume them, inspiration arises and artists are able to capture this through powerful songs of love lost and love found. Love can even become a lynchpin for existence itself for many inspired artists, and in artist Logan Metz’s “Sunrise”, that is the inspiration that reveals itself to the audience.

A heartfelt combination of soulful vocals, light tones, and powerful lyrics, the new single from singer/songwriter Logan Metz promises to bring an introspective look into the inner thoughts of someone who has met someone great, but cannot get out of their own mind analysing the what-ifs that could arise in the future. The moving and relatability of the artist’s lyrics will instantly stick with audiences, feeling both the passion of the romance and the insecurities and anxieties that could arise if one’s inner dialogue won over, but also the lightness that giving into love can bring to a person.

The fusion of songwriter style with Midwest vibes and jazzy folk tones really does well in this single. The opening of the single reminds me of a cover done in recent years of the musical song “O What a Beautiful Day” by Jeremy Jordan, and then suddenly moves into a folksy rock guitar riff and strong trumpet and almost jazzy orchestra tones that pump the heart and gets audiences in touch with their emotions within an instant. The passion and the heart which the artist created this single with will resonate greatly with audiences everywhere. Be sure to stream or download your copy today!

SPOTIFY:
https://open.spotify.com/track/7HY8jzIfjfMFQuX4xsXWGA?si=b3d9698ec9a64bf9
-or-
BANDCAMP:
https://loganmetz.bandcamp.com/track/sunrise

ONLINE:
https://www.loganmetz.com/
https://www.instagram.com/loganmetzofficial

The Breaking of TIme: Chronicles of the Arvynth by J.J. Hebert Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A father’s desperate attempt to save his son awakens a powerful order he betrayed long ago in author J.J. Hebert’s “The Breaking of TIme,” the first book in the Chronicles of Arvynth series. 

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The Synopsis

USA Today bestselling author J. J. Hebert’s brand-new urban fantasy series Chronicles of the Arvynth begins with The Breaking of Time, a novel about a devoted father whose desperate act to save his son fractures reality itself, awakening ancient magic and drawing him back into the path of an immortal order he once betrayed, where love, time, and silence collide in a race against eternity.


🏆 Mariel Hemingway’s Book Club Selection (Best Urban Fantasy):

“This novel is heartfelt, gripping, and memorable in all the best ways.” —Mariel Hemingway, Bestselling Author & Oscar-Nominated Actress ★★★★★


ONE FATHER’S DESPERATE CHOICE FRACTURES TIME AND REALITY ITSELF.

To everyone around him, Daniel Ward is a mild-mannered accountant, devoted husband and father in a quiet New England suburb. But when his ten-year-old son chases a runaway soccer ball into the street, straight into the path of a speeding truck, Daniel does the impossible. He freezes time.

That single act of defiance exposes the secret he’s buried for decades. His magic awakens the ancient order he once betrayed, the Arvynth, a brotherhood of immortal sorcerers devoted to stillness and death, determined to silence the world.

As his carefully constructed life unravels, Daniel must protect his family while evading the brotherhood that hunts him. Every second he steals from time feeds the void that seeks to consume it, threatening not only the people he loves but reality itself.

Forced to choose between sacrifice and survival, Daniel discovers the truth: sometimes the loudest act of love is defiance.

The Breaking of Time is a race against eternity, a supernatural thriller that fuses urban fantasy and family drama in a story about the noise of life, the cost of power, and one father’s desperate fight to keep the world from falling silent.

The Review

This was such a compelling, thrilling read. The author does a remarkable job of world-building early on in the narrative, introducing the cast of characters and the mythos of the Arvynth quickly as to allow the readers to feel immersed in the shock and awe the protagonist’s family feels when they discover his hidden world. The author’s writing style is so powerfully imaginative and uses imagery perfectly to capture the raw emotions and magic of the world with perfect clarity. 

Yet it was the world-building and character dynamics that really became the backbone of this story. The shock Daniel’s wife feels when she discovers her husband’s past and the fear that comes when their family is targeted can be felt in every chapter, and yet it is Daniel’s growing desperation and the raw emotional reaction that jumpstarted the events of the book that really made the narrative feel fresh and compelling, and gave readers a rich and unique new take on the fantasy genre to delve into.

The Verdict

Memorable, thought-provoking, and entertaining, author J.J. Hebert’s “The Breaking of TIme” is a must-read paranormal fantasy thriller and a great entry into the author’s Chronicles of Arvynth series. The emotional core of Daniel’s love for his family and the haunting realities his past has on his future will resonate with so many readers out there, and keep them enthralled as the Arvynth and their god, The Silence, become the specter that haunts him throughout the narrative. Filled with twists and turns that readers won’t expect, this is one new paranormal fantasy thriller readers won’t want to miss. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

J. J. Hebert is the #1 Amazon, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of eight books, including his acclaimed debut Unconventional and The Backwards K, which, according to Newsweek, is currently in development for film adaptation. His latest #1 bestsellers, both published in 2025, are The Breaking of Time: Chronicles of the Arvynth and The Hands-On Author: Taking Control of Your Book Marketing Journey. A lifelong New England resident, Hebert frequently weaves the region’s landscapes and atmosphere into his storytelling. He is also the award-winning CEO and Founder of MindStir Media, a leading hybrid book publisher. Join his community of over 2 million followers across Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) @authorjjhebert.

Bestselling books from J.J. Hebert

Versions of Nirvana by H.C. Turk Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

An 18th century witch reaches out metaphysically to help those in the future struggling in author H.C. Turk’s “Versions of Nirvana.”

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The Synopsis 

In order to save her family, an 18th-century witch entertains suicide, thereby entering a coma-like trance that lasts 300 years. In this magical state, she reaches into the future to guide other people who long for redemption.

England, 1710. Young Alba knows she is a witch, but the term means nothing until her mother is executed for witchcraft. Then Alba enters a trance that causes everyone around her debilitating emotions, just like Alba’s. The trance, which is Alba’s magic, does not appear again until years later when her mentor is arrested and sentenced to death. Panicked, Alba stabs herself in the heart. Instead of dying, she enters a “false sleep” (coma), a state of spiritual consciousness. Hoping to find peace for others, she seeks similar souls in the future:

Germany, 1942: An American soldier is mortally wounded. In his final moment, he experiences the glory of a beautiful life, if only in his dreams. He enters a spiritual realm filled with warm family adventures, metaphysical escapades that are alternately hilarious and horrific, yet always lead away from anguish. Directed by Alba’s unseen influence, Andrew fights for solace, and wins.

Indonesia, 2003: A young American woman on a Western Pacific island must relive an ancient, tortuous journey through a primitive environment in order to redeem the foreigners in the country. Influenced by a power she can only sense in her heart (Alba), Connie seeks a solution of acceptance instead of rejection.

Told with humor and compassion, the heart of the book is the longing to find peace despite haunting failure, and finding joy in helping others achieve the same.

Importantly, Versions Of Nirvana is feel-great magical realism for readers seeking more insight and originality than provided by mainstream fiction.

The Review

This was a compelling and thought-provoking read. The author does a remarkable job of creating a visceral world that feels both magical and realistic all at once. The author’s ability to jump between time periods and make the reader feel immersed in those eras was remarkable, through powerful imagery and detail that made the story come alive on the page. The heart and passion the author wrote these characters with made them feel connective and easy to empathize with through their struggles. 

The heart of this narrative was the shocking story developments and the emotional themes the author explored in this narrative. The book allowed readers to connect to the characters through shared redemption and heartbreak, with the protagonist serving as both a witness and a guide to the other characters these chapters explored. Their struggles, their losses, and their experiences with everyone around them showed them the best and worst of humanity, and the way these characters struggled against oppression and the need to find inner peace became so pivotal to the narrative. 

The Verdict

Memorable, honest, and enthralling, author H.C. Turk’s “Versions of Nirvana” is a powerful metaphysical historical fantasy read. The compelling character dynamics, rich imagery and settings, and the breathtaking themes will have readers hanging onto the author’s every word and eager for the next chapter as one ends and the next begins. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Listen up. Lookie here. Read ’em and weep:

Space pirates steal skinny gals. If you’re depressed by The Depression, should you waterboard a banker? Ideas are greater monsters than the demons they explain. I’d bare my soul, but don’t want to bore.

All of these Mystiphysical treasures can be found in my work: In a verbal world where art is the ultimate animal, fiction evolution never ends, rising from the depths of the psyche to sing across a new sky.

http://hcturk.com

http://hcturk.bandcamp.com

http://vimeo.com/hcturk

http://hcturk.tumblr.com

Dancing Deepa by Suchi Sairam Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

i received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A young girl yearns to share her passion for dance with her class in the book “Dancing Deepa.”

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The Synopsis

Deepa LOVES to dance. She studies a dance from India called Bharatanatyam that is like moving poetry! But since her dance is different from what her friends at school do, she isn’t sure if she should share it. Is there someone like Deepa in your class at school? What passion might you two share? Read to find out how you two are alike, how you are different, and how you could be friends to one another.

The Review

This was another fantastic entry into this beautifully written children’s book series. The shift in focus to Surya’s older sister Deepa was a welcome change of pace, and gave a fresh perspective on the story. The relatability of Deepa as a protagonist and her experiences in school were well balanced by the fast pacing of the story and the warmth of the illustrations. The exploration of Bharatanatyam as a dance and the importance to Indian culture as well was phenomenal, allowing younger readers to experience a new culture while also giving younger readers of the Indian culture a story they could see themselves in.

At the heart of this book was the power of the story’s themes. The book artfully delves into peer pressure and identity again with this book, while also bringing in the power of confidence and self expression as well. The deflating feeling of feeling like you have to hide a part of yourself is a struggle far too many young people have to go through, and the power positivity and encouragment can have on a young person is greatly felt throughout this story as well.

The Verdict

Engaging, memorable, and thoughtfully written, author Suchi Sairam’s “Dancing Deepa” is a must-read illustrated children’s book. The colorful and moving illustrations when paired with the moving and powerful themes the story brings to life allow readers to greatly engage with Deepa’s character and become entranced in her experiences overall. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

SUCHI SAIRAM is an Indian-Texan-Minnesotan-American with her feet firmly and proudly planted in multiple cultures and identities. She is equally an engineer and artist, leader and entrepreneur, student and teacher.

Her passion is to integrate the arts, leadership, and entrepreneurship to help develop great people and spread good in the world around us.

Suchi’s nearly 40 year journey in the Indian classical arts as a student, teacher, dancer, choreographer and performer alongside her long career in corporate and small businesses gives her a unique worldview. She founded St. Paul, MN based dance studio and company, Kala Vandanam in 2002. Her first book, a multiple award-winning illustrated children’s book “Dancing Deepa” was inspired by her loving students at Kala Vandanam, and is dedicated to them and all of the young, aspiring dancers out there who just want to share what they love with others.

Suchi has devoted her time and talents to organizations supporting science and math education for girls, empowerment for women, the arts, and developing vibrant small businesses in her community.

Find Suchi on social media – instagram.com/suchisairam | linkedin.com/in/suchisairam

For more about Kala Vandanam – kalavandanam.com
facebook.com/kalavandanam | instagram.com/kalavandanam

Trailer – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG-cKCRdDE8