Tangled Fates

By: Ali Mignonne

Narrated by: B.J. Harrison

Gustav Braun, former Nazi and physics professor at the University of Heidelberg, spent the better part of his life trying to unravel the mysteries of time. Now in the '80s, time was running out.

So, when an eccentric French businesswoman showed up at his door with an invitation to a top-secret research facility in the Amazon Rainforest where some of the greatest minds in the world were solving humankind’s most elusive mysteries, he was unwittingly intrigued. But also skeptical as hell! He had never heard of this lady’s company, and her dazzling sales pitch seemed more like a theatrical performance than a business proposition. No, he pronounced. He would not go. He would stay home and continue his research alone, the same as he had done since he tragically lost the love of his life over a half-century ago.

Meanwhile, the fates of tribespeople in a remote village in the Rainforest, a Jewish widow in Texas, a dictator on his deathbed, and that beguiling businesswoman were hanging on what Gustav did next because, unbeknownst to them all, their fates had been irrevocably entangled since before they were born.

Tangled Fates will whisk you up and sweep you away to other times and places. You'll get lost in this spellbinding story of humans—the good, the bad, and the downright evil ones–and how they are all interconnected. You’ll be taken from a picturesque WWII-era German countryside to a lush and luxurious resort of sorts in the Amazon Rainforest, where dreams come true. Tangled Fates is visual, imaginative, and enthralling cover to cover.

©2020, 2014 Alisha Mignonne Jackson (P)2023 Alisha Mignonne Jackson

Exciting adventure!

I loved the unexpected twists and turns in this adventurous story! Well done by both the author and the narrator. It’d be a thrilling and clever movie; I’m already dreaming up the cast!

Awesome work!

Ali Mignonne’s Tangled Fates is a marvelous novel that fuses together themes of historical fiction and magical realism. In embodying a multitude of genres, this piece features numerous diverse voices: those of which identify with differing races, genders, and religions. Individual characters face unique struggles, though grow together through raw and emotional relationships made amongst one another. While one part of me found pieces of myself in characters I share similar identity factors to and in relationships I can connect with, I was simultaneously being challenged by those who are different from me. Moreover, with the reading of this novel, I was able to gain knowledge and perspective about the various hardships faced during and post World War II. It seems as though there is integrity and respect for the historical aspect of this novel; it is evident that the author, Ali Mignonne, has put the time and work into performing the proper research. The credibility of this history is so necessary, and is essential to the awareness of current & past racial and religious stigmas made against those who are marginalized. This is a must-read for those who are interested in learning more about the history of World War II from first hand perspectives, or for those who are intrigued by ways in which this bit of history can be embedded with mind-blowing magical realism, and/or for those who simply are looking to learn and connect with diverse voices. Each character is vibrant and dynamic, the relationships are lively and passionate, and the ways in which this story unfolds is truly striking. As a reader, I am not usually one to be drawn to historical fiction nor magical realism, however this work has changed my preferred genres entirely. In this book, various worlds collide and everyone’s wishes are met. I was hooked the entire time, and I am hoping for a chance to read more! Bravo, Ali Mignonne. By far, Tangled Fates will always be one of my favorite novels!

In terms of audiobooks, this was by far one of the best! The narrator takes on the alternating voices quite well. I thoroughly enjoyed the differing tones of voice and accents the narrator uses for each character, this allowed for me to stay connected with the work the entire time.

Gobsmacked

An (audible) page-turner for sure! Such creativity. A genuine talent to paint pictures with such unique and illustrative phrasing. Like nothing I’ve ever read. I’ll be thinking about this for days.