This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
Old Cockatoo by C.J. Cronin is a gripping drama novel that follows the lives of an Australian family of horse trainers in the early 1910s. Former British Heavyweight Boxing Champion Joe McCallister's life didn't quite turn out the way he thought it would. Fuelled by bouts of rage and hallucinations, he goes on a murder spree that lands him in prison for three years. His wife Anna is duty-bound to wait for her toxic husband even though she has feelings for another man. Meanwhile, Joe's eldest son Melleney's only wish is to one day be strong enough to beat his father and remove him from their lives. Melleney leaves home to join an underground boxing troupe and has a violent confrontation with his father upon his return. But can the McCallister boys ever get themselves out from under their father's enormous shadow?
Old Cockatoo is a captivating story about regrets, lost loves, and forgiveness. Infused with tragedy, action, and romance, author C.J. Cronin's narrative makes it hard to put the book down, and don't be surprised if you read it in one go. The characters are layered, with inner conflicts and backstories that make for well-rounded and dynamic personalities you find thoroughly compelling to read. Joe, Anna, Melleney, and David all have their own struggles and dreams, which makes it easy to sympathize with their plights even with their prominent flaws. Joe is a repulsive individual, but by the end, you can't help pitying him. The bittersweet climax somehow makes the ending all the more satisfying. Highly recommended.
