October thoughts...

I hope your October is starting off well. It’s nice to have cooler weather here in Glendale, California.

I’ve been busy learning how to edit video via Adobe Premiere as I work on this stop-motion camel animation and making-of montage. It’s coming along bit by bit. I also decided to reproduce the 1969 cereal box that the Kellogg’s Camel Train originally came in. It’s close. It is not perfect. Once I had it printed I discovered that the flaps should have been a bit wider top and bottom, but it looks fine for my purposes. 🙂

I’m looking forward to getting back to studying Blender as well! But summer and hiking and museums and general busy-ness has disrupted some of my indoor habits.

I am always a bit torn when I read a middlin’ book as to whether to post it here. In theory this site is full of all the books that I have truly enjoyed. But sometimes there are books I enjoyed, but I had a few quibbles with. Ultimately I go with my gut instinct… often imperfect books have much that is enjoyable. So if I think they are worth checking out, I post them. I have started making a few notes about my experience with the book. Your experience may vary of course. I don’t post the ones that I didn’t like.

Election season is here in the US. It is an important one. The candidates could not be more different. Be sure to register and vote. One of my best friends knew Trump from the Miss Universe Pageant and says he is truly a horrible person. Casually groping the girls backstage despite their discomfort. He has a long history of not paying his bills and treating people badly. It is not surprising that much of his presidential cabinet are backing Harris instead of him. Harris and Walz have a long history of supporting the LGBT community, in addition to fighting for a stronger middle-class. I may not agree on everything but I think she will make a great president. Please vote. It makes a difference.

October Reading

The Purple Fantastic Book of the Month

Voyage of the Damned

This was an extremely enjoyable read. I love when a book grabs me and does not let me put it down. A murder mystery set on a boat in a fantasy world in which all the suspects have unknown magical abilities, brings a fun twist to the cozy mystery genre.

As our hero, Ganymedes, races to discover who the murderer is, we get to know each eccentric suspect. I loved that our hero is a short curvy 23 year old gay man who has no insecurities about his full figured body. His big secret and handicap is that he is the only one on board without magic – but most of the other passengers don’t know this. There is also a range of gender expression and a suspect in a wheelchair. Although I did have an inkling of whodunnit, the storytelling is full of surprises. As you reach the end, allow plenty of time as you are not going to be able to put the book down. I didn’t go to bed last night till 2am because I had to know how it was going to play out.

* * * * *

“Magical, murderous, romantic romp through a fantasy world as colorful as it is captivating.” Thea Guanzon, New York Times bestselling author of THE HURRICANE WARS

A mind-blowing murder mystery on a ship full of magical passengers. If Agatha Christie wrote fantasy, this would be it!

For a thousand years, Concordia has maintained peace between its provinces. To mark this incredible feat, the emperor’s ship embarks upon a twelve-day voyage to the sacred Goddess’s Mountain. Aboard are the twelve heirs of the provinces of Concordia, each graced with a unique and secret magical ability known as a Blessing.

All except one: Ganymedes Piscero—class clown, slacker and all-around disappointment.

When a beloved heir is murdered, everyone is a suspect. Stuck at sea and surrounded by powerful people and without a Blessing to protect him, Ganymedes’s odds of survival are slim.

But as the bodies pile higher, Ganymedes must become the hero he was not born to be. Can he unmask the killer and their secret Blessing before this bloody crusade reaches the shores of Concordia?

Or will the empire as he knows it fall?

This premium hardcover will include a gorgeous, shimmering jacket with effects and beautifully illustrated endpapers.

THE TIKTOK SENSATION FROM THE UK HAS COME TO NORTH AMERICA!

The Purple Fantastic Steam Rating gives this a 2 out of 5. The book does reference that sexuality exists, but it remains fairly discreet. There is a bit of violence. You can read more about the Steam Ratings on the About Page.

book-author

Frances White

Categories: , , , , , , Tags: , , ,

Description

“Magical, murderous, romantic romp through a fantasy world as colorful as it is captivating.” Thea Guanzon, New York Times bestselling author of THE HURRICANE WARS

A mind-blowing murder mystery on a ship full of magical passengers. If Agatha Christie wrote fantasy, this would be it!

For a thousand years, Concordia has maintained peace between its provinces. To mark this incredible feat, the emperor’s ship embarks upon a twelve-day voyage to the sacred Goddess’s Mountain. Aboard are the twelve heirs of the provinces of Concordia, each graced with a unique and secret magical ability known as a Blessing.

All except one: Ganymedes Piscero—class clown, slacker and all-around disappointment.

When a beloved heir is murdered, everyone is a suspect. Stuck at sea and surrounded by powerful people and without a Blessing to protect him, Ganymedes’s odds of survival are slim.

But as the bodies pile higher, Ganymedes must become the hero he was not born to be. Can he unmask the killer and their secret Blessing before this bloody crusade reaches the shores of Concordia?

Or will the empire as he knows it fall?

This premium hardcover will include a gorgeous, shimmering jacket with effects and beautifully illustrated endpapers.

THE TIKTOK SENSATION FROM THE UK HAS COME TO NORTH AMERICA!

Additional information

book-author

Frances White

Format

Audiobook, Hardcover, Kindle Books, Paperback

Language

English

Publisher

MIRA

Pages

464

Year Published

2024

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