When the Old Ways Are Forgotten, What Comes Back?
After meeting author Steve Ramirez at Books, Blooms, and Brews, I knew I had to dive into The Great Migration—and I’m so glad I did. This haunting, powerful story blends Indigenous themes with speculative fiction and deep emotional resonance. In this review, I reflect on the book, the experience of meeting the author, and why this story deserves to be shared.
The Great Migration by Steve Ramirez
Genre: Indigenous Speculative Fiction / Apocalyptic Literary Fiction
Author: Steve Ramirez
Audience: Upper YA & Adult
Review by: ReadMyBook.net Street Team
🌿 Meet the Author: Steve Ramirez
Before diving into the pages of The Great Migration, let me first say—Steve Ramirez is not only a gifted writer, he’s also an extraordinary human being. I had the pleasure of meeting him at Books, Blooms, and Brews, and our conversation left just as much of an impression as his storytelling.
Steve speaks with the same thoughtful clarity and soulful depth in person as he does in his writing. He carries a quiet kind of strength—the kind rooted in deep respect for people, culture, and the natural world. You can tell he writes from a place of lived truth, not just imagination.
Now let’s talk about the book that’s stayed with me ever since I cracked it open...
When the Old Ways Are Forgotten, What Comes Back?
The Great Migration by Steve Ramirez is a haunting, genre-blending novel that lingers in the mind long after the final page. It reads like a warning wrapped in poetry—slowly building, richly imagined, and deeply rooted in Indigenous wisdom.
As the world fractures and the balance between land and people slips further out of reach, the characters are faced with trials that test not just their survival—but their identity, loyalty, and spirit. In a time when nothing feels stable, choices must be made: to protect the stories, the sacred, and each other… or to lose everything to a silence that spreads like decay.
🧠 What’s It About (Spoiler-Free)
Told through the eyes of Indigenous characters, The Great Migration explores a shifting world—one where nature is out of balance and something long-buried is rising. The “migration” is both literal and spiritual, as the story moves between ancestral memory and contemporary collapse.
There’s a slow, creeping dread in the air—shadows moving just out of sight, people acting not quite alive, and signs that the earth is responding to generations of harm.
But at its core, this book isn’t about horror. It’s about remembrance. About reclaiming what was stolen and finding strength in the stories passed down through blood and earth.
✨ Our Thoughts:
Curious what we thought? Check out our review on Amazon or follow the link below to see it on Goodreads.
🔍 What Readers Are Saying (Amazon Highlights)
“A unique storyline with well-developed characters in a richly imagined universe.”
“Perfect for young adult readers—but with layered meaning for adults.”
“There’s plenty of action, and the visuals are unforgettable.”
“Some readers find the pacing slow in parts, but it builds to something powerful.”A Quote from: The Great Migration
“When a lack of information is combined with city‑wide fear, shocking revelations become an allegory for anti‑xenophobia: ‘Nothing fuels hate, as does fear.’”
📸 A Moment I’ll Always Treasure
Exchanging books with Steve Ramirez at Books, Blooms, and Brews was one of those rare, beautiful moments where everything comes full circle—reader meets author, story meets soul. It wasn’t just about swapping pages; it was about mutual respect, shared purpose, and the power of storytelling to build bridges between us.
Book exchange with Steve Ramirez at Books, Blooms, and Brews
Books like The Great Migration remind us that stories aren't just something we consume—they're something we carry. Something we pass on.
💬 Have you read The Great Migration? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
📤 Know someone who’d love this story? Share this post with them and help us spotlight more indie authors.
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In Light N Love,
Alice McMurtry
Happy Reading! 💛
Custom-Made from Chantal Heide: A Love Letter to the Books That Changed Me
Hello BookLovers,
I have a secret I must confess—and you deserve to be the first to know.
The truth is, I will read anything Chantal Heide writes. Every. Single. Word.
I’ve been following her for years now, and I can honestly say her words have been with me during some of the most challenging times in my life. Whether it was through a tough season, emotional chaos, or personal growth, Chantal had a way of speaking directly to me—sometimes when I didn’t even realize I needed it.
Her work reminded me of something I had forgotten: I absolutely love reading. Not just reading for information or scrolling through social media feeds, but truly reading—getting lost in words that speak to the soul.
Motivational books were always my first love. There’s something about turning those pages, one after the other, absorbing strength and wisdom, that makes me feel unstoppable. I could read them in one sitting, letting every sentence pour into me like a lifeline.
But something shifted in the last three years. Working closely with other authors reignited another passion in me—storytelling. I rediscovered the magic in fiction, memoirs, and life lessons woven between lines. Every book has its own purpose, just like every person does. That includes you.
And today, I want to share with you why Chantal Heide’s newest release feels custom-made not just for me—but maybe even for you too.
Here’s tribute to the back cover:
“Custom-Made
Ready to unleash your purpose and tap into a more meaningful life?
Whether you're still wondering what talents lie deep within or ready to launch your passion fueled project. Chantal’s specialized 7 steps help you understand how to materialize and share what you’re custom made to joyfully offer the world. You’ll learn how to recognize clues that propel your growth, train your mind to deal with ups and downs, and develop a work ethic that keeps you pumping out success one after another.
Guided by her inspirational voice, anecdotal experiences, and actionable advice, you’ll journey through your deepest fears and lean into your gift, ultimately lighting up every room you walk into with an inner glow fueled by Love."
You’ll discover exercises designed to help you tap into the hidden corners of your mind and feel inspired to create something beyond your wildest dreams.
I believe the time is now to manifest your deepest abilities and to fully develop what you’re custom made to do. Don’t you?”
This book isn’t just another addition to your shelf. It’s a gentle guide, a firm truth-teller, and a comforting friend all in one. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure about your next step, this is the kind of book that will sit with you, take your hand, and help you find your way again.
So yes, this is my confession—but it’s also an invitation. If you’ve never read Chantal Heide before, start now. And if you have, then you already know the kind of transformation her words carry.
Let’s keep growing, learning, and falling in love with books together.
With love,
Alice McMurtry
If you had one wish to go back into time, where would you go?
It’s time to talk about being in the depths of despair while searching for the will to live! If you could go back in time to a regret to out live it again just to see what the outcome could’ve been. Would you? Would you want to stay? Would you want to switch to another moment in your life instead?
Sometimes, I feel like I just live my life in a Satire kind of style with one problem after another. I usually just laugh it off. Like having a front yard full of dirt. The cars that love to live in the shop. Then I face the will to live when the dishes are stacked up but yet I don’t feel like doing them but it’s a must! If I don’t, how would I ever eat again? lol. But, would I trade in my best friend in for what I thought was happiness? Well, I guess you will have to readmybook! LOL! I did take up the challenge to answer what do I want. And, soon this book will be published. It’s a good question to ask, did I trade him in to give birth to my book? ;-) I thought it was just going to be this one time publishing but stay tuned because there is so much instore for us all. As for now, let me know if you are going to enjoy reading this British Satire book that is finding the will to live at “The Midnight Library.” This book is brilliantly created by Matt Haig, it is worth it’s awards but you must read to find out why. Enjoy!
In Love N Light
Alice McMurtry
AKA: Ms.TeacherAlice
Up Next:
Book Review: Part of Your World Abby Jimenez
Currently Reading: Meet Zara by Eva Lauder
Book Update: I am waiting on the author copy and I made an order of bookmarks that will be arriving soon. In the meantime, I have been working on wrapping up other author merch while creating Friction’s book merch. However, I have a very important question to ask…
Since, I am making a book merch for Friction Strikes a Light Within…
I want to do P.R. Boxes and some deluxe boxes with gifts for readers to open as they read along kind of like an advent calendar. However, I want the book edges to be gilded and put notes to let readers pause and open a gift. This would mean that the book would have to be cracked open to do so. Now, would you rather crack your own book or would you like to have the gifts and gilded edges? Please let me know… Your soon to be author in dire need!!!!
Next Book Merch to be sent out: D.W. Cole and Jenna Walkers….
Happy Reading Everyone!
In Light N Love!!!!
Black Bear Alibi
A Black Bear Alibi by: J. C. Fuller
I loved this book so much that I went back and forth with reading this book with it’s actually paperback copy and the audio book. I loved listening to it as I was driving around town. But, then I loved reading the paperback too because I ended up giving the books gilding the edges or was it the tainted loves or the fact there’s someone unlived in Rockfish Island, it is a mystery! But, can you tell me what I loved more? It is so hard not to spill this story.
I really love the undertones that she gives you while you are sitting on the edge if you are right for who did it?!?
This book deserves 5 stars and sealed with readmybook.net
1*2*3*4*5*
Way to go, J.C. Fuller!!!!
For a chance to win an autograph copy with red edging, and some handcrafted bookish things…
here’s what you gotta do…
Comment on this review…
Be an everlasting friend
Have a shipping address within the United States
A Black Bear Alibi by: J. C. Fuller
I loved this book so much that I went back and forth with reading this book with it’s actually paperback copy and the audio book. I loved listening to it as I was driving around town. But, then I loved reading the paperback too because I ended up giving the books gilding the edges or was it the tainted loves or the fact there’s someone unlived in Rockfish Island, it is a mystery! But, can you tell me what I loved more? It is so hard not to spill this story.
I really love the undertones that she gives you while you are sitting on the edge if you are right for who did it?!?
This book deserves 5 stars and sealed with readmybook.net
1*2*3*4*5*
Way to go, J.C. Fuller!!!!
For a chance to win an autograph copy with red edging, and some handcrafted bookish things…
here’s what you gotta do…
Comment on this review…
Be an everlasting friend
Have a shipping address within the United States