Dead but Dreaming by Blake Dean Posey | Bird in a Snare by N.L. Holmes | Mini Book Reviews

While Posey’s Dead but Dreaming is a sinister yet engaging tale of black magic, N.L. Holmes’ Bird in a Snare is a must-read historical whodunit. Read on to find more.

Dead but Dreaming by Blake Dean Posey and Bird in a Snare by N.L. Holmes – Mini reviews

DEAD BUT DREAMING BY BLAKE DEAN POSEY

WHAT IS THE BOOK ABOUT

Many of these documented works of Sumerian magick have perished; only a few fragments exist. Some sorcerers, in the present day, still seek these documents. For it gives them the ability to summon powerful, monstrous abominations from Hell that can destroy a man in every way possible.

A brutally mangled corpse of a ruthless magician is discovered in his remote mansion. Rudy Martel is an assistant in an occult bookstore, a drug addict, and a gambler (not always in this order). He finds himself in possession of not one, but two rare, powerful Sumerian magical journals when the owner of the bookstore is assaulted. Are these incidents connected?

Rudy possesses a formidable knowledge of the occult but has never dabbled in magic. Now that he has the journals, can he refrain himself from the lure of black magic? Because if he does not, his actions will bring the world to the brink of Apocalypse. Read Dead But Dreaming by Blake Dean Posey to find out the answers.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Dead But Dreaming by Blake Dean Posey – Review

WHY YOU SHOULD READ THIS BOOK

Blake Dean Posey’s Dead But Dreaming is a sinister yet engaging tale of #Blackmagic.

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Blake Dean Posey’s Dead But Dreaming is a sinister yet engaging tale of black magic.

Posey spins a tale so fantastic yet so believable, I could not stop reading until I finished this over-three-hundred-pages book in four days.

Realistic dialogues, vivid descriptions of the different conjurings, and poetic prose result in a well-written book. Further, Posey has done exhaustive research on Sumerian magick and builds an enchanting tale around the Sumerian magick lore.

Three-dimensional characters further bolster the book’s appeal. Rudy is, inevitably, the protagonist here supported by an able cast of supporting characters. His ascent up the ladders of the occult and his descent into corruption and greed are parallelly portrayed by the author and makes for an absorbing read. Moreover, thanks to a small cast of characters, the plot takes center stage.

My interest withered in the middle due to the descriptions of Rudy’s daily routine. However, these were necessary to show the unraveling of his sanity, as well as to document the progress he makes with channeling different spirits and demons. Worry not, the pace picks up fairly quickly.

Overall, it was a great read; I recommend Dead But Dreaming by Blake Dean Posey to paranormal, occult, and black magic fans.

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BIRD IN A SNARE BY N.L. HOLMES

WHAT IS THE BOOK ABOUT

Lord Hani, a fourteenth-century Egyptian diplomat, is sent to investigate the murder of a leader of bandits in Syria. There, he finds himself mired in a tangle of corruption, treachery, and another murder.

Before he can apprehend the killer, the new king strikes a fatal blow to Hani’s investigation. But why? Is the murderer someone particularly important, someone remarkably close to the king?

His investigation is further complicated by the new king’s religious reforms that shake his family to the core. Under these tumultuous circumstances, can Hani find out the killer? Read Bird in a Snare by N.L. Holmes to find out.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Bird in a Snare by N.L. Holmes – Review

WHY YOU SHOULD READ THIS BOOK

Bird in a Snare by N.L. Holmes is a beautifully written murder mystery set in fourteenth-century Egypt.

Bird in a Snare by N.L. Holmes is a beautifully written #MurderMystery set in fourteenth-century #Egypt .

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Holmes weaves fiction with facts to produce a highly enjoyable book that will endear itself to any lover of historical whodunit.  The book not only provided me the satisfaction of reading a mystery tale, but also a tale full of political intrigue and courtroom drama. Further, she gave me a glimpse into the change of regime from that of Amenhotep III’s to Amenhotep IV’s and its ramifications on Egyptian society.

Holmes has achieved a commendable feat in Lord Hani – a historical figure as well as a diplomat-cum-detective. He is a mild-mannered, gentle, intelligent, and observant man; I warmed up to him in no time due to his sharp acumen and respect for others.

His intense love for his family, loyalty towards his faith and his sensitive nature makes him a conscientious man and serves as a backdrop of the moral dilemma that Hani faces throughout the book. Holmes sketches Hani’s relationships with all his family members with a tenderness that made my heart ache.

Despite the plot being populated by several characters, I could identify every one of them due to their distinct voices. Moreover, a glossary of characters at the end serves as a helpful tracker. The book is also supplemented with a map to aid the readers in keeping track of the geography. 

N.L. Holmes’ Bird in a Snare is a character-driven, slow-burn mystery. The smoothly flowing lyrical prose, vivid descriptions of the Egyptian landscape, and a story replete with rich historical details instantly drew me into Hani’s world. The satisfactory conclusion to the mystery serves as a cherry on the top.

I heartily recommend it to fans of historical fiction and cozy mystery.

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I reviewed these books for Readers Favorite for which I received a very nominal fee. This does not affect my opinions on the books. I opted to publish an honest review on my blog.