Luis Alegria Alegria itibaren Kajala, Maharashtra 413501, India
Read this for a class but have turned back to it in times since. For fans and/or critics or Barrington Moore, this is a must-read follow up to his seminal work (Social Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy), as this take Moore's thesis back further in history, and deeper in development. Downing successfully criticizes Moore at a most basic level by considering geography which opens up the entire question of borders and foreign relations into the entire question of how states come to be democracies or authoritarian.
Originally posted at The Book Worms: http://thebookworms.org/2012/02/review-arcadia-awakens-by-kai-meyer/ Kai Meyer molds such a unique and powerful world in Arcadia Awakens! Every time I cracked this book open, I just couldn't get enough of it. The mafia aspect is incredibly realistic and weaves these opposing families together in an ancient legend. I really, really loved that it was extremely different than other shape shifting books out there! Rosa has a troubled past and just needs to be distracted. Setting out to Sicily seemed like the perfect getaway for her. Of course, its not just that simple and anything that can go wrong, does. She's thrust into a crazy twist of mafia animals (literally) feuding over power and her own feud of feelings for the enemy. Rosa is a kick-butt kind of girl who isn't really afraid to be her true self. She's a character who was hard to grasp at first, but the readers grow with her as the story goes along. She's smart and serious, and then Alessandro comes in and she gains power and strength with him. Alessandro was one beautiful guy (in my mind at least) and even though he is considered by all to be an enemy of the Alcantara clan, he's so hard to resist. I loved that his and Rosa's relationship wasn't overbearing, or sappy. Mafia business...crazy! I mean crazy. I can only imagine that things like this happen in real life and reading Arcadia Awakens is so full of action and so realistic that reading it is almost scary! The storyline never once faltered and was as strong as ever straight through the end. The shape shifting was incredible! Meyer’s writing was different than any I’ve come across. The writing is gender-neutral, so it doesn’t matter who is reading. Its written in a 3rd person format that’s incredibly detailed and in tune with the current character. I really enjoyed the writing and will be looking for more from Meyer. Overall, a MUST read...like the moment it releases. A fantastic, action-packed, suspenseful book that's sure to keep you on edge - I think I can safely guarantee that! Review based on advanced reader's copy.