Barbara Wood (1) (1947–)

When I discovered this book on the ‚Up for Adoption‘ page of Audiobookworm Promotion, I absolutely had to listen to it. I remembered having devoured another novel (Virgins of Paradise) by Barbara Wood many years ago, and I remembered how fascinated I had been, even though my memory of the plot is hazy. So, I didn’t even read the summary, hence I didn’t know what to expect.

Let me tell you, this is a great story that made me think. I wondered about the old religions and beliefs, asking show more myself whether they weren’t preferable to today’s religions. But my first impression of a peaceful religion was soon shattered, because, as is so often the case, those believing in cruel deeds to please their gods oppress all the others.

What puzzled me, was the focus on female virginity before marriage, and the idea that they were makai-yó (outcasts) if they were found out. Somehow, I had always connected this anti-female behaviour with Christendom. However, the book seems extremely well researched, and whether or not this virginity thing is due to poetic licence or actually took place, it doesn’t really matter to me — although it does matter to our main protagonist, Hoshi’tiwa, whose life takes a turn for the worse when she is claimed by the Dark Lord — from then on, she is makai-yó.

This book contains everything you could wish for, especially a lot of information about the religious beliefs, rites, traditions, clothing, food, drink, and daily life of the Toltecs shortly before they perished. All this information isn’t easily found on the www, so much about these people is still shrouded in myth, with few facts known.

Barbara Wood masterfully crafts an engaging story that you won’t want to put down. It is great that this novel is now available as audio book, and the narrator, Rebecca Roberts, does a fantastic job at narrating it. Her voice in my head was never obtrusive, she simply drew me in, and I was there, on center green, seeing it all before me, suffering with the slaves, connecting with Jakál even.

There is only one character who is truly ugly inside and out, all the others have many facets, and though you may not like them, you can understand them.

The combination of a great story and a wonderful narration makes for a very enjoyable 15.5 hours of listening time.

As mentioned above, I received this audiobook at no-cost from Audiobookworm Promotions. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it. show less

In this novel we follow Selene, a young woman seeking knowledge in the healing arts, seeking her true identity and seeking her lost love, Andreas. Her search takes her on a lifelong epic adventure through the ancient world - Syria, Babylon, Persia, Jerusalem, Alexandria, Rome. I liked this story and the characters a lot, and unlike some of the other reviews I've read, I thought there were enough plot twists and turns to keep one interested. I would have liked more closure in the end, but show more I'll overlook that because overall I thought it was a satisfying read. I also enjoyed learning about the history of ancient medical practices along the way. show less

I won't say too much and spoil this for anyone. I just recommend you read it, and learn what it was like to be a woman doctor in the gilded age days. You'll learn something about medicine back then, conditions in hospitals, what women went through, both because of childbirth, unplanned pregnancy, and medical "cures" that did much more harm than good. Dr. Samantha Hargrave does her best to fight the system and give her patients the best care she can, despite opposition.

She also has her share show more of happiness and heartaches along the way, and you'll be rooting for her to have the happy ending she deserves. show less

A novel of massive scope, following the journey of a piece of smooth, blue meteorite and those who temporarily possess it from the proto-human Tall One to a traveler on the Oregon Trail. In each story, the stone has a lesson to teach as humanity progresses. Much historical data is imparted while still reading like compelling fiction. Each protagonist is fully drawn and a genuine representative of his or her era. While I most enjoyed the story of Katharina and her journey, beginning in 1520, show more from Germany to Asia, there are no portions of the book that I would say I did not enjoy. It was also stunning to me how recently humanity had no concept of fatherhood, or the connection between the sex act and pregnancy. I found it so hard to believe that I actually had to look it up! I'm always impressed by fiction that both entertains and enlightens, and this book delivered both in spades! show less