Review - Gaea by Robina Williams

Gaea (Quantum Cat)

TITLE:    Gaea
AUTHOR/EDITOR:    Robina Williams
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 289 pages
PUBLISHED:   Twilight Times Books, 2009
ISBN#:   978-1-60619-183-5
HOW'D I GET IT:   Received from Author for review

FROM GOODREADS:  Gaea, the earth goddess, fed up with the damage Man is doing, decides to teach him a lesson. She ropes in her relatives to help her... and three-headed Cerberus, the hell hound, tags along too. Quant, golden-eyed seraph and quantum cat, is there to keep an eye on them all.

MY TAKE:   I was very interested to see what this book had to offer.  It is a fun, easy read with a very strong environmental theme ~ that doesn't beat you over the head.  I like the detailed descriptions of some of the things that Man is doing to the planet for which there are other, less damaging options ~ if only we humans would take heed of them.

The characters were very personable and fun to follow along with.  The Earth Goddess, Gaea (Mother Earth) is quite outspoken in her need to make humans sit up and take notice of what they're doing to HER.  She is quite funny at times with her temper and sarcastic wit.  My favorites were the poor Friars who were being teased mercilessly by Quant - a seraph who masqueraded as their pet cat Leo.  The Friars are trying to become more green and are learning to care for a garden and be self-sufficient where possible.  (While trying to explain the strange sightings of a disappearing/re-appearing cat..) 

I applaud the explanations and interweaving tales of the gods and goddesses, the Titans, the Christians, and the Lord.  The author plyed her words in such away that anyone can receive the important message of this book while still enjoying a truly lovely story. It is a very readable book that covers the issues of ecology, faith, spirituality, myths, and history all at once.  

Gaea's discussions with legends such as Poseidon and Triton were humourous and informational.  The friendship between her and the seraph Quant is very warm, especially since she knows the Lord has sent him to keep an eye on her. When she and Quant had a "meeting" with the Almighty Creator, he shows her his love for all of his creations, including the pesky humans and admonishes her that HE is the only one who owns and dispences vengeance.     

This is the 3rd book in Ms. Williams' Quantam Cat series.  I'm looking forward to reading the others:  Jerome and the Seraph and Angelos (Quantum Cat) as soon as I can.  I'm happy to have discovered this wonderful author.

I HIGHLY recommend this book to all.  I do believe there is a message for everyone residing in its pages.
   
MY RATING:    4.5/5

WHERE TO BUY IT:    Gaea (Quantum Cat)

Review - Chasing Francis: A Pilgrim's Tale

Chasing Francis: A Pilgrim's Tale

TITLE: Chasing Francis:  A Pilgrim's Tale

AUTHOR/EDITOR: Ian Morgan Cron
INFO: Paperback, Fiction, 252 pages
PUBLISHED: Navpress, 2006
ISBN#: 978-1-57683-812-9
HOW'D I GET IT: Received for review from publisher

FROM THE COVER/PUBLISHER:  Postmodern Insights from a Premodern Saint....
Chase Falson has lost his faith--and he did it right in front of the congregation at his megachurch.  Now the elders want him to take some time away; far away.  So Chase crosses the Atlantic to visit his uncle, a Franciscan priest, where he encounters the teachings of Francis of Assisi and rediscovers his ancient faith.

Follow Chase's spiritual journey in the footsteps of Francis and then begin one of your own through the pilgrim's guide included in this book.  Come discover Francis, the first post-modern Christian. 

MY TAKE:  Saint Francis of Assisi has always fascinated me as he was truly the first environmentalist and protector of animals.  I wanted to learn more about this amazing man.

This book appealed to me as it is presented as a fictional novel about the search for the actual man by a fictional character.  I liked learning about Saint Francis and his life in this manner as some of the historical and religious texts can be quite oppressive and dry--boring. 

While the author is an actual priest, he's not a professional writer.  I didn't feel that I was being preached at, but told an interesting story.  I felt his characters (especially the Friars) were charming, funny and very engaging.  I came away with a better understanding of Saint Francis and his amazing life.  It is very interesting and a bit disconcerting to note the parallels of our modern times and those of Saint Francis.  He was grappling with many of the same problems that our world is facing today.

I highly recommend this book as it was a very enjoyable read.   I also think that everyone could find something that speaks to them in this story, regardless of their religion or belief system.  The story of Saint Francis, the man goes beyond those labels and lines.  

MY RATING: 4/5

WHERE  Chasing Francis: A Pilgrim's Tale at Amazon.com

Happy Reading!