George Miller seems to have achieved the American dream – a solid career as an accountant on track to be promoted to CFO and a family man with a wife and two children. But as anyone who is familiar with the archetype of the Hero’s Journey, George’s success seems hollow. His workaholic behavior has left him with an estranged wife, children who miss spending time with their father, and doubts about the integrity of his coworkers. When he is strangely drawn to retrieve a crystal from a riverbed, his life begins on a whole new trajectory – one that leads to his unknown connection to a local Indian tribe and a calling to serve in ways he never imagined possible.

This is a simple story and one that captured my attention immediately; I finished reading the novel in one day. I appreciated the nuances of George’s journey, his humility in embracing the gift the crystal bestowed and his clarity of purpose in using it to heal on many levels. At first blush, it appears that George must lose everything he values in the material world, but the story is more about bridging the material and spiritual realms for true prosperity and fulfillment.

Overall, this is a well-crafted novel that carries an inspiring message that will appeal to those interested in spirituality, science, and metaphysics.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

George's journey from boring accountant to spiritual guide with his magical crystal totally hooked me, especially seeing how he struggles between using his gift to expose corruption or to heal broken spirits.

4.2 stars! Thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this arc read! I’m going to start off by saying that in order for you to truly enjoy this read, you must have an understanding of spirituality. This book speaks heavily on the Native American culture, crystals, auras, believing in the unknown, etc…
Now with that disclosure out the way, this is a fantastic read! Love that this is not a long drawn out read neither. This follows George, an account that immerses himself into work, neglecting his wife and children. One day he finds a crystal that allows him to see the colors of people (their auras). He uses this to see who people truly are. With the use of this crystal, he’s able to help the sick, help those who have lost themselves, also help those whom have lost their way and more!
Throughout this story, George really is able to not see others problems, pain, etc…but it really helps him realize what’s important to him, things that he had been unable to see previously because he was so focused on work (sounds like millions of people in life right?). This is a really great example of self reflection, self discovery, self awareness amongst other things. This book will have you asking yourself, what in your life truly matters to you?
From beginning to end, this story grew and had an excellent ending. It tackles how everyone on this planet contributes to how things work…the good, the bad, the ugly. Again, this book isn’t for everyone but for those that it is for, you will find this very thought provoking and will have you questioning your own life.

The Spirit Reader
By Robert Albo
This is an interesting book dealing with auras and native American culture. A guy finds a crystal that when he looks through it, he can see a person's auras. Once he meets with the local tribe, he finds he is a spirit reader. With practice, things come easier to him.
There is more going on, corruption by business and construction on the native land. Government trying to take more land. Lot of things going on. Never a dull moment. Intriguing story.
I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this interesting story.

I truly loved this book... it was so so good. I totally recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can because it's really good and the characters are fantastic .

Book Review: The Spirit Reader by Robert Albo

Robert Albo’s The Spirit Reader is a captivating blend of mystery, spirituality, and psychological insight. The story follows a protagonist with a unique gift—the ability to read the energy of locations and objects—who becomes entangled in a series of mysterious events that challenge both their abilities and their understanding of the world around them. Albo masterfully crafts a narrative that is as much about the protagonist’s inner journey as it is about the external mysteries they seek to unravel.

Premise & Themes
The novel centers around the protagonist’s gift, which becomes a double-edged sword as they navigate between the tangible world and the realm of the unknown. Themes of perception, intuition, and the interplay between the material and spiritual worlds are explored in depth. Albo examines how the protagonist’s abilities affect their relationships and their sense of self, adding a rich layer of psychological complexity to the story.

Strengths & Highlights
-Immersive Atmosphere: The novel creates a vivid and immersive atmosphere, drawing readers into a world where the supernatural and the mundane coexist.
-Complex Protagonist: The protagonist is well-developed, with a nuanced portrayal that makes their experiences relatable and compelling.
-Intriguing Plot: The story is engaging, with a mystery that unfolds gradually, keeping readers invested.
-Thought-Provoking Themes: Albo explores themes that encourage readers to reflect on their own perceptions and beliefs about the spiritual and the unknown.

Areas for Improvement
Some readers might find that the pacing slows in certain sections, particularly where the narrative delves deeply into the protagonist’s introspection. Additionally, while the supernatural elements are intriguing, a few readers might wish for more clarity or resolution regarding the mysteries presented.

Score Breakdown (Out of 5)
-Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – The novel creates a vivid and immersive atmosphere.
-Character Development: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – The protagonist is complex and well-developed.
-Pacing: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5) – The pacing is generally good, though some sections may feel slower.
-Thematic Depth: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – The themes are thought-provoking and add depth to the story.
-Originality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – The blend of mystery and spirituality is engaging and relatively unique.
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – A compelling and atmospheric novel that will appeal to readers interested in the supernatural and psychological mysteries.

Perfect For:
-Fans of paranormal and supernatural fiction.
-Readers who enjoy character-driven narratives with a strong psychological component.
-Anyone looking for a story that explores the intersection of the material and spiritual worlds.

Acknowledgments:
Thank you to NetGalley and Robert Albo for providing an advance review copy of The Spirit Reader in exchange for an honest review.

Final Thought: The Spirit Reader is a thought-provoking and immersive read that will captivate fans of the supernatural and psychological mystery. Albo’s work is a testament to the power of blending the unknown with deep human insight, creating a narrative that is both engaging and reflective.

This is the story of George Miller, an ordinary man who discovers a powerful crystal, which allows him to see the auras of other people. He begins to interpret these expressions of spirit, and becomes known as The Spirit Reader. He counsels anyone in need, and goes on to transform his entire family, community, workplace, etc.

As a spiritual person and a lover of crystals in particular, I absolutely adored this story! It has what so many other books lack - heart AND soul, and the ending was perfect. If you enjoy magical realism, and wish you could make the world a better place, give this a try. I highly recommend it.

An incredibly poignant and important tale about the importance of culture and and respectful cultural appreciation, conscience, morals, and Indigenous tradition. As a mother, wife, and family member to Indigenous persons this book was incredibly close to my heart, and filled with lessons important for all humanity.

5✨