Lucci's List: Top 10 of 2020

Following is my list of the ten best books I have read and reviewed this year. The list is in alphabetical order by title. Happy reading, and happy new year!

Lucci's List Top 10 of 2020

1. "Boston Metaphysical Society: A Storm of Secrets" by Madeleine Holly-Rosing

"Boston Metaphysical Society: A Storm of Secrets" by Madeleine Holly-Rosing is a steampunked mystical tale of an alternate timeline in which the government is run by houses of power, and Elizabeth Weldsmore is the catalyst for an adventure of espionage and hellfire.

Supernatural beings, historic Boston, and a revolution of the ages.

2. "Building Steam" by Renee J Fleury
"Building Steam" by Renee J Fleury is a time travel epic journey with romance, pirates, a mad scientist, and Nikola Tesla! This steampunk novel has it all, with smooth phrasing and exceptional writing. The dialogue is gritty and real; the characters are other-worldly yet believable.

What a wild whirlwind of steampunk adventure! Packed with surprises and powerful plot twists, "Building Steam" will have you cheering and howling.

3. "From the Mountains of Munlough" by John Joe Baxter

“From the Mountains of Munlough” by John Joe Baxter is an unforgettable memoir that will have you wanting more. The author describes his book as a story of farm life in 1950s Ireland, but it is so much more than that. It’s a coming of age tale that is even more endearing because it is true.

A gypsy prophesizes that a widowed mother and her six children will be separated. Doom ensues as young Joe Baxter finds himself orphaned and separated from his siblings. He is forced to leave his beloved family farm, and swears to work as hard as he can in order to earn the land back and reunite with his family. Obstacles block him in but he finds ways to overcome them each time, although not always to optimal results.

John Joe learns to adapt to life on a different farm. Hilarity ensues as he experiences adventurous moments with the beloved animal as. The connection between boy and nature is what eases him through traumatic events, looming family secrets, and the trials of young love.

This memoir is a page turner. It made me laugh, cry, and hold my breath. It is the best memoir I have read this year, and is now one of my favourite books of all time.

This book is appropriate for all readers, from fans of Beverly Cleary’s “Henry Huggins” to readers of classics such as “Great Expectations.”

John Baxter performs a daily Facebook Live show every day from noon to 1 EST during which he sings traditional and rare Irish folk songs. The genuineness of his voice echoes the heartfelt realities of his book. “From the Mountains of Munlough” is a must read.

4. "Invincible One" by Dan Szczesny

"Invincible One" by Dan Szczesny is a poetry volume expressing a solo mission that reaches worldwide.
When the author's daughter was an infant, he and his wife brought her on a life-changing journey from New England to Northern India.
Peppered with prose and personal photographs, the author's adventure is one we all share: one of searching for connection. Close by and world-wide, the author's words have captured the human longing for family and identity.
One of my favourite poems, that I think exemplifies the flavour of this book, is "Grace."
"Grace" by Dan Szczesny
India, beautiful madness,
India, harsh, abrupt, relentless,
raw and alive with living,
gorgeous sin, wrapped in tikka, fire, and aluminum.
And she does not care what you think of her.

India scoffs at New York City or Paris,
makes you question everything you think you know.

And in the end, at the edge of your ability
to comprehend your place here, India is a baby and a great-grandmother laughing.

5. The Maw and Other Time-Traveling Lizard Tales by Gevera Bert Piedmont

What if the Native Americans had an alliance with alien species of dragon-like lizards? European colonizers would have experienced a history-altering timeline. This short story collection details how reptiles could have changed the world.

Care of mythical lizards, moral questions regarding genetically modified creatures as defensive weapons, steampunked lifestyles, adventures through deserts, childhood yearnings; this collection contains stories for every reader’s palate.

The glossary of words and phrases from the languages used in this book was fascinating and helpful.

Fans of “How to Train Your Dragon,” “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” "A Journey through Care of Magical Creatures,” and “Keys to the Demon Prison” will be drawn into the strange creatures in this book.

Some chapters dark, some utterly hilarious, all blended with mystical realism. It could happen, right? It’s fun to imagine it could. And this masterpiece of intra-cultural scientific fantasy will have you believing.

6. "Over the Hills of Green" by E.V. Svetova

"Over the Hills of Green" by E.V. Svetova is a modern fantasy novel that challenges social mores, prejudices, and the concept of a successful life.

Anna is a strong independent woman. Motivated to excel in her university studies of psychology, she is thrilled to be assigned a "John Doe." His case of amnesia is a perfect puzzle for her problem-solving mind, and will make an excellent thesis project.

As her study of John continues, she begins to believe there is something inhuman about him. His dramatic good looks are magical enough, but there is evidence that he possesses other-worldly qualities.

Her pride, focus, and hum-drum relationships are put on hold as she obsesses over her would-be patient, who is quickly becoming a friend, and much, much more.

The characters in this book are well drawn. Their background stories and motivations were clear and meaningful. Anna was relatable as a woman who has had to change her priorities and goals because of family circumstances. Her resoluteness in succeeding at her profession seemed natural. The intimate relationships she shared showed that even as a strong woman, she still faltered between love and convention. Adding John to her life disrupted her longing sense of routine and normalcy, but she found herself so drawn to him, and comfortable in their burgeoning friendship, that she began to question herself and her life choices. The world as she knew it was forever changed by this mysterious man, and she knew she would never see life the same way again.

John was an intriguing character from the start, and I was relieved when he didn't turn out to be a "Twilight" type of superhuman. The magic and adventure brought forth by his presence was both endearing and breathtaking.

I am not usually a "romance reader," but this storyline depended on the love and lust powerfully pushing the pounding plot forward. Excellently written.

I would recommend this to fans of "The Lord of the Rings," and "Inu-Yasha," and everybody seeking a magical romance in an average world.

7. "Santa and the Ho-Ho-Ho Zone by Peter Payack/The Brothers Payack
"Santa and the Ho-Ho-Ho Zone, How the Children of the World Saved Christmas" by Brothers Payack is a modern masterpiece. Part Dr. Seuss, part Aesop's Fables, this poetic story reminded me also of another brother team: the Brothers Grimm.
While one brother, Peter, playfully and poetically expresses the effects of global warming through this tale of Santa and his elves and community, the other brother, Paul, has created whimsically old-fashioned looking collages to illustrate the story.
The tale begins:
"An oft' overlooked fact
that needs to be said,
is the effect of global warming,
on Santa's sled,"
This straight to the point tone, mixing fantasy with non-fiction, creates a deep allegory of our current global crises. In the end, as the world pulls together to better themselves, communities strengthen around the globe, to the North Pole and back.
Entertaining for adults, and a nimble lesson for children, "Santa and the Ho-Ho-Ho Zone" is a brilliant little story with a big message.

8. "The Steampunk Adventures of Harry Lampeter" is a romp for the ages!

Raunchy, wild, impulsive characters and plot make this book a refreshingly naughty read!

Harry Lampeter is wickedly moveable. He has a way with the ladies, which doesn't mean it's always HIS way.

"Harry laughed, pulled the covers down and gave Emma a playful slap on her naked right buttock."

The dialogue is witty and lends itself to humour. "‘You should have taken it off, Telford. Nobody would have noticed you in your pants at the seaside.’ ‘Afraid I wasn’t wearing any, Harry, tradition and all that."

I highly recommend this steamy fast-paced adventure.

9. "The Techno Mage" by S.W. Raine combines elements of sci-fi fantasy in a fast paced adventure with a tint of the macabre.

Three friends, Magaliana "Mags," Arteus, and Ikarim, work together with Doctor Gesselmeyer using their own particular talents. With their individual strengths, they lead a successful life amid airships, science, technology, and alchemy in there Germanic home.

All is well until one day their boss and head of the family, Gesselmeyer, returns from a secretive trip gravely ill. Upon his death, Arteus learns a life-changing fact that swerves his fate. He himself has a secret that shames him, a matter so personal that he feels the need to keep even his beloved Mags from knowing. Ikarim is the loyal friend who keeps the peace, even when they encounter airship pirates and are separated by the influence of the Techno Mage. The Techno Mage is a foe so powerful that most civilians do not dare defy him, and the three friends crumble in his evil plot.

Mags has been pressed by her parents to marry and settle down into the more acceptable lifestyle as an aristocrat. Instead, she naively embarks on a voyage with the Techno Mage. She is determined to learn his craft of alchemy as she pursues excellence din her own practice. Little by little, she becomes charmed by the Techno Mage, and agrees to marry him.

When the wedding turns into a rescue mission, the three friends are changed forever. Watching Mags fall overboard the airship to a certain death, Arteus does to recover her body and avenge her. Ikarim is also heart broken by the loss of Mags, and accompanies Arteus on his mission. First they must enlist in the armed forces together in order to gain the necessary skills to find Mags's remains and conquer the Techno Mage once and for all.

There are more secrets yet to unfold. The Techno Mage holds more power than any of the friends imagined. It is a vile, filthy, nasty, disgusting secret that suddenly comes to light in the most gruesome way.

Then Arteus and Ikarim encounter a mysterious woman and find themselves at her mercy. Their mission has evolved, and so has the Techno Mage.

Despite their individual flaws and fights, Arteus and Ikarim prove to be a competent team. Even when the worst they could have dreamed of throws them into a battle they cannot win, they persevere together.

This novel is packed with high energy, rewarding character development, and one of the grossest scenes I have ever been delighted to read. In fact, I read this book front to back twice in a row because I just couldn't get enough!

I have been careful in this review not to divulge any spoilers. This entire book flows with so many twists and turns, it was difficult not to reveal too much!

The character arcs were fulfilling. At first, I didn't;t particularly like any of the characters. They changed appropriately through the challenges of their separate and combined fates in ways that was exceptionally satisfying.

I highly recommend this book to fans of steampunk, dieselpunk, and sci-fi fantasy. It is appropriate for teens as well as adults. What a breathtaking adventure!

10. "Timepiece" by Heather Albano is a gripping steampunk time travel novel. Battles abound throughout alternate histories in a Waterloo you never imagined. The author writes with expert formal language while providing a smooth reading experience.

"It was as if we bred Bengal tigers to exterminate...well not rats. Wolves, perhaps. Now the wolves are gone, and we are still riding the tigers."

This story with its heart-dropping surprise ending will have you clamoring for more.