Title: Reader and Raelynx
Author: Sharon Shinn
First published November 6, 2007
420 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780441014699 (ISBN10: 0441014690)
Rating: 4.13
Overview
Step into a world of magic and romance in Sharon Shinn’s Reader and Raelynx. As mystic Cammon sets out to read the souls of Princess Amalie’s suitors, he must keep his personal feelings at bay.
However, Cammon soon realizes that he is unable to read the Princess’s soul, leading him to believe that she may possess forbidden magical powers. As Cammon uncovers the truth, he must do everything in his power to protect Amalie from those who seek to harm her and prevent the kingdom from descending into chaos.
Get ready for a tale of danger, desire, and the power of love in Reader and Raelynx.
About the Author
Writing stories and poems has been a passion of mine since I was eight years old. My first poem was about Halloween and it went like this: “What is tonight?
What is tonight?/Try to guess and you’ll guess right.” Although my debut was not very impressive, it did not discourage me from pursuing my dream of publishing a novel. However, I knew that it would take time and effort to achieve this goal, so I went to Northwestern University to study journalism.
Most of my career has been spent writing for trade and association magazines such as The Professional Photographer, DECOR, and BizEd. I spent the longest time, seventeen years, writing for DECOR. I am also a CPF (Certified Picture Framer), which means I passed a long and technical test to prove that I understand the principles of conservation framing.
Currently, I write about management education and have the opportunity to interview intelligent and fascinating individuals from around the world.
Although I have a full-time job, I still manage to write fiction during my free time in the evenings and on weekends. It takes a certain level of dedication to be as productive as I have been in the past ten years.
However, I do make time for other activities such as reading, which I do across all genres, with fantasy and romance being my favorites, and occasionally a western. I am also a fan of Cardinals baseball and try to attend the opening day game.
I enjoy watching TV shows and movies, and I am a huge fan of Joss Whedon.
I do not have any children or pets, and I am not very good at keeping plants alive. However, all of my friends are animal lovers, which led someone to suggest that I keep my friends as pets.
I am still contemplating if this is true.
Editoral Review
In the classic novel “Paris Trout” by Pete Dexter, readers are transported to the small town of Cotton Point, Georgia in the 1950s, where wealthy and racist businessman Paris Trout commits a heinous act of violence that sets off a chain reaction of tragedy and despair. Dexter, a journalist and novelist, is known for his gritty, unflinching portrayals of human nature, and “Paris Trout” is no exception.
The novel is a masterful example of Southern Gothic literature, with its sharp critique of the often corrupt and violent social order of the American South. Dexter’s writing style is spare and direct, and he does not hesitate to present his characters as flawed and complex beings.
The main characters in the novel, including Trout himself, his put-upon wife Hanna, and the mother of the victim, Mary McNutt, are all given intricate psychological portraits that reveal the underlying tensions and traumas that drive them. The themes of race, class, and gender are central to “Paris Trout,” and Dexter tackles them with nuance and sensitivity.
He does not shy away from depicting the virulent racism of the time, but he also explores the complexities of the relationships between black and white characters in the novel. He also highlights the ways in which women are victimized and marginalized in a male-dominated society.
Throughout the novel, Dexter skillfully interweaves these thematic threads, creating a rich and layered portrait of a deeply flawed community. Perhaps the greatest strength of “Paris Trout” is its unflinching honesty.
Dexter never sugarcoats the harsh realities of life in Cotton Point, and he is not afraid to depict the brutal violence that unfolds as a result of Trout’s actions. The novel is not easy to read, but it is impossible to look away from Dexter’s unvarnished portrayal of the darkness that lurks within us all.
If there is a weakness to “Paris Trout,” it is perhaps its pacing. The novel unfolds slowly and deliberately, and there are moments when it feels like not enough is happening.
However, this can also be seen as a strength, as it allows for the careful development of character and theme that makes the book so powerful. In conclusion, “Paris Trout” is a haunting and beautifully written novel that deserves its place as a classic of Southern Gothic literature.
Readers who are willing to confront its stark realism and grapple with its complex themes will be rewarded with a profound and unforgettable reading experience. I give this book a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
