Iceman Awakens

by Sharon Krasny

My debut novel, Iceman Awakens, just won IBPA's Benjamin Franklin's Silver Best New Voice in Fiction Award on May 12, 2021. I'm very honored and thrilled to receive this award.
Here's a preview of this coming of age story of Gaspare, the Iceman's, calling to his role as a holy man for his ancient tribe:
“Nine strikes and a few sparks. Thirteen strikes and a spark caught a little smoke, but I hurried and blew too much while jostling the needles. Focus Gaspare. I felt the call deep within where my blood retreated to stay close to my heart. Focus. My head felt sluggish and my movements dragged with effort. Slowing my breathing I rearranged the needles on the bark and struck again – five strikes and the little spark became an ember.”
Gaspare, in the role of a young Ötzi the Iceman, desperate to confront his fate and honor his father, receives the ultimate sacrifice. At thirteen with a gifted calling and promise of prophecy, he must face his failures, fight the oppression from his brothers, and learn to live in a society that deemed him a curse. This is Gaspare, the reborn Iceman found murdered on the Ötzal mountains as he begins his tale that led him to that fateful day.
From questions surrounding the mystery of Ötzi’s mummy preserved from the Neolithic Era, this debut novel explores how he got some of his 61 tattoos, found his life’s purpose in his copper axe, and how he lived. Iceman Awakens speaks of the timeless voices of love, destiny, and betrayal.

224 pages, Paperback

Published November 14, 2020

Reviews

[Trevor Wiltzen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Due to my archaeology background, books that deal with ancient historical figures are my guilty reads. From populist authors like Conn Iggulden to more literary writers like Caroline Alexander, I love how they make history's recorded greats real people, flaws and all. So, when I read that author Sharon Krasny wrote about Ötzi, also called the Iceman, the concept hooked me, and I moved it up my TBR. In 1991, two German tourists hiking on a thawing glacier high in the Alps stumbled across a body they mistook for a deceased mountaineer. Local police dug up the remains and carted off the ancient tools found. Only when an archaeologist examined the tools did they fully realize that this well-preserved mummified man was over 5,000 years old. Scientists conducted numerous tests on the body and clothing, and they were able to trace the Iceman's suspected origin and horrific demise. It certainly captured my imagination but clearly consumed author Sharon Krasny's.

She writes the Iceman as a young man but with the growing wisdom of an elder within a European tribe 5,000 years ago. A rhythmic cadence to her writing ebbs and flows as she takes the Iceman from his safe village in a welcoming fertile valley to his ultimate demise on a wind-swept, freezing, barren glacier. Written in an autobiographical, historical fiction style, we know the outcome. Yet, while we know of the murdered Iceman, we do not know who killed him, a crime unsolved for millennia, and while we know where he died, we don't know what brought him there. The author imaginatively solves these mysteries by infusing the Iceman she renamed Gaspare with the passions, curiosity, and foibles we can relate to.

[GG Stewart’s Bookhouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Archeology has always fascinated me and when Otzi was discovered in 1991 I could not help but wonder about his murder and his life. What circumstances brought him to the mountain? What was his life like, his family, his world? Sharon Krasny has taken a 5,300 year old mystery and given it life! With her research she has taken a period in time that we can only imagine and created a story. In this book she gives Otzi a name and family. She takes us into a world where superstitions and rites of passage are center stage for the survival of a village. The book starts as Gaspare (Otzi) finds a hurt pregnant wolf who is dying and helps the the pup come into the world. A pup that becomes his companion and helps him through his Mennanti, four challenges to prove his manhood.
Filled with passages of growing up and challenges of life you are introduced to a different time and world where fear creates hate and men will do anything for power, even against family.
It was a pleasure of meeting Sharon Krasny at a book signing and hearing her talk about this book.
I can’t wait for the next book!

[Bill Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book twice. I am a really slow reader because I need to be able to picture the action in my head. All books basically turn into movies in my head. I'm sure I'm not the only person like this. But I have to tell you this book was fascinating. I enjoyed it so much the first time through, because Krasny was painted such a beautiful picture with her words. As you read you can almost smell a fire. You can feel Gaspare's anxiety. You become totally immersed in this world. You're going to want to own a wolf and name it Chealana. Definitely worth a read!

[Sharon Krasny]

Forgotten and frozen for 5000 years, the most studied corpse in the world known as Ötzi was found emerging from a glacier on the Italian Alps. Murdered, shot through the back, his story creates a haunting need to understand how he got there.
Young Gaspare tells his story as the Iceman, as he faces the rites of passage of an ancient tribe, the longing for love and deepening friendship, and the scars of cowardice. Gaspare’s four challenges will test his wit, strength, and the love of a mother for her son. If he is to find his place in the changing tribe, he must understand his greatest fear.

This book is 75% ready to go! There will be a pre-order sale starting later in September.
Readers interested in history especially ancient history, the science surrounding Otzi’s discoveries, coming of age stories, stories involving a pet wolf, or even readers who enjoyed Clan of the Cave Bear, this book is for you.
More information coming soon!

Clearing the final stages of editing. Cover is a wrap and the wait is soon over to meet my first novel in person! 97% complete and couldn't be readier!

[Megha Malik · Rating 5 out of 5]

BOOK- ICEMAN AWAKENS ( BOOK 1)
AUTHOR- SHARON KRASNY
GENRE- HISTORIC FICTION ; 205 PAGES
ABOUT THE BOOK
How would you feel if someday you come across 5000 years old preserved mummy buried under the icey and snowy mountain?
Well something similar happened in 1991, when two German tourist hiking up the glacier and stumbled upon something and thought it as a deceased mountaineer but after the involvement and examination of all the gathering, tools, body and clothing etc by archaeology itself, it resulted in a well preserved dead body/ mummy from more than 5300 years old having the significance of ancient Italian Alps.
And after that the story unfold in the ancient Italian times in a village and introduce us to a very kind hearted and brave young boy of 13 springs; our Gaspare, youngest in the family of farmers. I the early stages of the book, he encountered a injured and deeply pregnant wolf, this brave boy decides to help her to deliver the offspring keeping aside his fear of getting attacked and with utmost bravery, courage and endurance, he fell in love with the pup ( Chealana ) and decides to keep it with him after the wolf dies. The story evolves a lot as it goes further, takes numerous turns, tests Gaspare in each way possible through Mennanti. Many other incidence happens in between the story which symbolis life and death making the family’s life full of ups and down bring both happiness and sorrow.
HOW I FELT AFTER READING IT
Though being Book I in the series, it was well structured and there is much adventure left to discover and explore . all the readers of Iceman knows he was murdered but it is yet to be disclosed how. There are numerous characters introduced through this part, those were basically Gaspare’s family and acquaintances from which Gaspare’s grandfather, his sister in laws, Chealana and Mara steal the show. The characters were built and got ample space for development with a well paced and much researched plot. Author Krasny justified her hard work and dedication by painting an authentic and vivid picture of that time in front of the readers with a detailed narration and storyline which made it a little bit slow and time consuming in few parts of the book. The book portrays various emotions and feeling of love, happiness, laughter, sorrow, heartbreak, joy, glee and especially trust and companionship quite raw and unfiltered which can make a personal connection with the readers.
FEW LINES/ QOUTES THAT I REALLY LOVE
“If this is any indication of what will come from our fields this year, I think we shall have a strong harvest”
“before you take him, go and wash your hands and face. You should be clean when working with the little one”

[Katherine Eppley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iceman Awakens unveils the fascinating saga of a man frozen for millennia in the Italian Alps. With her spectacular imagination, powerful writing and detailed research, Sharon Krasny has created a portal in which to enter this man’s life. Readers will be enthralled from page one by the interweaving of family, tradition, superstition, heart-racing conflicts, and anguish. The book Iceman Awakens is aptly named as you witness the story unfold, twist and turn, bringing the you to the edge of your seat.Iceman Awakens

[Courtney Lake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book as a Goodreads Giveaway.

This is a very nicely written coming of age novel, almost in the same vein as Clan of the Cave Bear series. Often times these types of stories do not translate well to an adult reader audience. The characters either acting too old, or the story not being engaging enough to hold attention. This one managed to be true to the characters without coming across and childish or beyond their years.

A story of real emotions, life, death and family 5,000 years ago. We meet our hero Gaspare as he is working on his families farm, and stumbles across a dying wolf with a breach pup. He rescues the pup but the mother expires in the process, and this act sets off the end of his childhood and beginning of his manhood.

His grandfather and his father agree that he is ready to take his trial of manhood when the harvest is done. And so he begins his preparations, honing his survival skills, hunting, fire and building his inner confidence in himself. We learn of his friendships, of his growing love for a girl in the village, his rivalries with his brothers and his inner turmoil.

A sudden death throws his world into turmoil only weeks before his manhood ceremony. Then during the ceremony, he learns that his brother has gained permission to marry his sweetheart in the village. He powers on, and despite overwhelming odds he manages to persevere and finish all four trials, but only barely survives the final encounter. This leaves the village in turmoil, did the Gods mean for him to fail and die, does his survival mean they have angered the Gods an will bring retribution on the village?

I wanted there to be more! I was not ready for the last page when I got there. I still need to know what happens next.

[Gail Meath · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a spectacular and well-written historical novel that quickly draws you into a vivid and heartfelt account of a time and civilization lost. Since historical fiction is my favored genre, I especially appreciate the detailed research that Sharon Krasny put into creating and developing not only the story itself, but gripping characters. As a youth, I used to stare at the mummies in the local museum wondering about who they were and what happened to them. This book was fascinating. And with all the historical accounts of renowned heroes, it is refreshing to read and learn about those who go unnoticed or are forgotten. I recommend it highly.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

She does a great job at world building, but the story stops long before he ends up dead on the mountain. The story ends with the main character aged 13. The Iceman was estimated to be 45. That’s a pretty long way to go before you find out how he got there.

[Salvacion Roselle Reyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This boom was beautifully written.
I am not surprised why Sharon was nominated to receive an award based on all her endeavors in creating an enjoyable and at the same time educational story. Her research truly paid off. It's an amazing book. I loved it.

[Alyse Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through exploring the possibilities of the life of a mummy found frozen in the Italian mountains some 5,000 years after his death, Krasny paints a remarkably vivid picture of what life was like in those prehistoric times. More importantly, however, is the focus the author draws on the consistency of the human condition and how little it has changed in thousands of years of humanity. Though our day-to-day lives have changed immensely since these times, this book does a great job in underscoring how alike we are to our ancient ancestors. Self-doubt, sacrifice, and betrayal are themes that have dominated human life since the beginnings, as so aptly shown in this book. I highly recommend this story for an enthralling read that will also provoke self-reflection. Perhaps the most intriguing part of the story comes from the fact that readers know the ending (that Gaspare ends up dead on the mountain) and are racing to come up with their own ideas of how it happened. I can't wait for more books continuing Gaspare's tale, and how he ended up murdered on the mountain so many years ago.

[Jim Curtin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finished this and enjoyed it, but had a difficult time believing a lot of the details. At some point, the author mentioned the family having purple cloth, which seemed off to me since purple was such an expensive color to have on clothing in the much later Roman period. I started looking up the pantheon of deities or some of the more specific terms that the author was using, and could find no source material for them. I eventually started thinking of this as a work of fiction very loosely based in fact, but the obscured research that went into this (there wasn't any non-fiction works mentioned as reference, only a history professor thanked in acknowledgements) makes me hesitant to trust history in this, and unlikely to continue the saga in the next work.

[SilverStar Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fans of Archeology, history or the young adult genre, and fantasy in general will enjoy this book.

Warning this review may have spoilers.
(this is the first installment)

First of all, I want to applaud the author's elegant delivery of this story. A very refreshing and unexpected plot. This is the retelling of the life of a young man five thousand years ago. The story was inspired after the discovery of a Neolithic Era man mummified man in the Otzal Alps located between western Austria and the Province of South Tyrol in northern Italy.

The story is a murder mystery in itself from beginning to end. One I could not put down and hoping there is a book 2 that will resolve this.

The author brings to life her main character Gaspare who is coming of age. The entire adventure of his life seen through his inner dialogue shows us his beautiful human soul, as he fends to survive in probably one of the most inhospitable of times. Although the author brings us into a world that has long gone, teach us that our human nature remains the same and that our values, family, or our choices in life are as ever important.

Very well researched and written with no typos or grammatical errors. A delightful 226 pages. Medium to fast pace.

There are several whimsical and spiritual aspects to this story I really liked. The name of the main character Gaspare was chosen because of his birthstone Gaspar, a rare stone of the holy men or wise men. Or how he became the parent of a wolf pup…etc Also the fact that Gaspare has a special destiny that topsy-turvies the entire village is engaging.

Also I might add the author executes her writing gracefully counterposing almost like a leitmotiv two antagonist forces "the beauty and the deplorable of life.

I highly recommend this book. It resonates with audiences of all ages but would be a good read for younger ones.

Fans of Archeology, history or the young adult genre, and fantasy in general will enjoy this book. Even those who don’t typically read things in the history sphere will find a lot to like in this book.

[Mary Dockery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever wondered what happened to someone from the past who seemed to have slipped into obscurity, whose body is only discovered once his voice and breath have fallen silent? Have you ever looked out in nature and wondered what secrets it has witnessed? Has your imagination ever run wild, creating a life for someone you never met? If so, then you will find a delicious journey in Sharon Krasny’s new book, Iceman Awakens. As Krasny puts it in the words of her character, “Questions are for those who have understanding and seek more. Questions are for those who will one day be strong. They are the learners, and as a result, they are the ones to grow in strength and wisdom” (125). This is a book that will have you up at night, thinking in the shower, and racing home to read in anticipation, hoping to find answers to your questions.

Told through the eyes of Gaspare, the man who modern-day researchers would later dub Otzi, this poignant coming-of-age story breathes life into the mummified corpse found in the Austrian Alps in 1991. The narrative imagines what Otzi’s life was like thousands of years ago during the Copper Age. Intricate research on ancient tribal societies, coupled with figurative language in the forms of pinpointed similes, vivid imagery, clever foreshadowing, and lively personification, make the reader wish she could travel back in time and accompany Gaspare as he encounters the challenges and triumphs of life’s dawn, day, and dusk. If you love intersections of history, nature, mystery, complex human relationships, and imagination, you should head to the nearest local bookstore or hop online and get yourself a copy of Iceman Awakens.

[Mary Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharon Krasny’s Iceman Awakens is a whodunnit like no other. This first installment awakens your interest in the real-life Iceman found in the Italian Alps by hikers in 1991, after he was shot with an arrow and had lain silenced and frozen for some 5,300 years. The author’s fascination with this ancient man is infectious. Who was he? What was his story? Who killed him and why? Did he exist in his life all those years ago, then die alone for nothing? Or does he have something to say to us? Sharon Krasny gives the mummy a name – Gaspare – and a voice, bringing him to life with her rich imagination and meticulous research into Iceman’s time and place and staying true to what is known about him. The result is a brilliant page-turner that vividly portrays Gaspare, alive once more, telling his own tale. In Iceman Awakens: Book 1, meet Gaspare on the cusp of manhood, facing the universal struggle to find his place. He has people he loves and who love him, worries, hopes, doubts, dreams, gifts, pressures – and yes, an enemy. Gaspare seems to have a special destiny, but when he goes through his “Mennanti” – a ritual test of prowess to be accepted as a man – he throws his whole village into turmoil. Where will it lead? You’ll be drawn into Iceman Awakens to find out what secrets a mummy has to tell.

[S.A. Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The review for this book is so overdue! I read it over two years ago, and at the time I didn’t know what to expect. I remembered that European hikers had discovered the frozen remains of an ancient man in the mountains. I couldn’t remember when that happened or even where the mountains were!

Next I tried to recall what I’d learned in school about ancient man. The answer was “not much,” and most of that was probably wrong or too general to be of value: they lived in caves, they wore animal skins, they were hunters/gatherers. So I dived into Sharon Krasny’s reimagining of Otzi the Iceman’s life with a bit of trepidation.

Believing the main character would die at the end, I was, nevertheless, totally hooked within three pages. I found myself caring and worrying about young Gaspare, as Krasny named her version of the Iceman. The incredible research that went into this novel taught me things school didn’t, and that, along with Krasny’s lyrical writing, made this an unforgettable story.

Gaspare’s life doesn’t end at the conclusion of the novel, but it does take a decided turn for the worse. I can hardly wait for the second book to see what life holds for him, and if Krasny decides to postpone his ultimate death until yet another book, I wouldn’t mind at all!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wolves, siblings and rites of passage, rivalries, tenderness and pure hatred, weapons and friendship; all weave in and throughout Gaspare’s story - Otzi’s story. He’s the oldest intact mummy found...the one who ranks high in the unsolved/missing peoples category. In Iceman Awakens, Krasny casts a spell of probability rife with historical accuracy. This Gaspare, this Otzi, this man child boy of the village... what is he doing and thinking that should cause him to end up on a mountain, speared through the shoulder? What is he really like outside of our knowledge of his last meal. This is the story that starts it all. Today’s adventures have nothing on Gaspare’s. What do you think of the story’s precursor? Well, it’s as real as everyday life. Krasny seems to “know” Otzi through and through. Thousands of years later, humanity is equally involved. How bout you? How would you respond to his frustrations and hopes? Will you connect with him as well? Read and discover. You just might be surprised at how much you have in common.

[Wendi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who hasn't wondered what mysteries are wrapped within a frozen mummy? With clues like tattoos and tools, Sharon weaves a tale that immediately immerses the reader and transports you to Neaolithic life. Readers will walk away enriched with an engaging glimpse into lifestyles, attachment to nature, and belief systems of that time period; thanks to Sharon's beautiful and engaging facility with words, you'll feel as if you were actually there with Gaspare and feeling his emotions.
As an educator, what strikes me is that I can see this story resonating with audiences of all ages--as a read-aloud for younger students, as a conversation starter for fitting in during middle school, and themes of love, grit, and resilience in the face of disappointment for older students. As an adult, I was hooked from the introduction, with the promise of fiction wrapped in a historical mystery.
Krasny delivers this promise with panache. I can't wait for the next book!!

[Nathan Clement · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sharon Krasny launches us into a journey to the world's lost past, a time unrecorded, but full of the same human struggles we all are familiar with. Through the first person of Gaspare, we experience growing up in a family where we may feel close to some members, and sadly, distant from others. Gaspare finds himself longing to fulfill his reason for being in the world while hesitant at being thrust into manhood a little too soon. He is adored by his pet wolf, cherished by his mother, feels misunderstood by his father and maybe even feared by his village, while inspired by his reclusive grandfather. Krasny gives us world building with her setting in the prehistoric past, satisfying adventures, and possible answers building toward the death of Ötzi, the frozen man found in the Alps. Why was he murdered? It could have happened like this, read on…

[Zel Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical fiction is one of my favourite genres, and Iceman Awakens didn't disappoint.
It is a story of love and betrayal, envy and deceit, good vs evil, curse vs gifted. Struggles within ones family, sibling's rivalry, brokenness, and how the wounds move from one generation to the next.
It is written in a slow pace, but every part of it was necessary.
It left me wondering, and after I finished reading it, I had to read again the first chapter.
The pain was deep and I would hope in reality it didn't happened that way.
It was a great read, the descriptions were fantastic and the plot phenomenal. My favourite was the description of the burying ritual, with all the details of the ceremony and it's meaning.
I wish there were more dialogues; as Gaspar learns from the elders, rather than narrating.

This is a must read for all the historical fiction lovers.

[Ieesha Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway and only now have I finished it. Regardless, I really enjoyed reading this book! I remember reading about Ötzi the Iceman some time ago and how fascinating of a scientific discovery it had been. Never had I really considered what life he may have lived all those years ago.

I really loved Krasny's worldbuilding, such as the tribe's customs and the environment they lived in. The chapters where Gaspare went through his Mennanti were both suspenseful and gut wrenching.

Him having to focus on proving his manhood in the aftermath of his father's untimely death, only to learn of his mother's death in the end, made me feel nothing but empathy for the boy's plight. His brother's eventual betrayal was adding salt to the wound.

All in all, I really enjoyed my time with this book!

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mummy found frozen in the Alps in 1991 led the author to create a story that looks into his life so we can better understand the man that he was. In the book we follow the life of Gaspare, through glimpses into his family life with his parents and three older brothers to the challenging ceremony into manhood. We join with Gaspare in his pain and his triumphs. Using countless hours of research, the author makes us part of Gaspare's world as through we were there with him. This book is a must read, especially for fans of ancient history. Thank you to the author for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[P McN · Rating 5 out of 5]

A haunting tale of the challenges, the beauty, and the pain of life, this story follows a young man’s path through growth and change as he learns about life through his tribe. The author vividly describes tribal customs, traditions and beliefs that form the core of native culture. The seeds of these beliefs are beautifully explained through the interactions of people with each other and with nature. The sights, smells and scents of village life come alive as Gaspare explores the life he holds dear and the man he hopes to become.

You’ll be drawn into a young boy’s daily struggles with family, rituals and beliefs as he works to determine which of them he holds sacred. The twists and turns draw the reader deeper into the tale. I’m already awaiting a sequel that will continue the story.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

After doing extensive research Krasny weaves the tail of the Iceman found frozen in the Alps in 1991. In Iceman Awakens, we meet Gaspare a boy coming of age in his tribe. Through Krasny's vivid writing you are transported in time to his tribe. You feel like you are experiencing life through Gaspare, seeing and hearing the sights and sounds of the village. You go through his "Mennanti" (ritual test to enter into manhood) with him. Several times reading I was on the edge of my seat and thought, "No! That can't happen!" I am eagerly waiting for the 2nd book.

[Greg Fields · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a precise, distinctive and literate rendering, Sharon Krasny breathes life into Otzi's frozen frame. Historical fiction is at its best a delicate blend of imaginations grounded in precise research. With her debut novel, Krasny joins the ranks of Philippa Greory and Jean Auel in blending the lyricism of a tight, well written novel with the academic discipline that creates a realistic, believable context for her story. Otzi shared a common humanity with those who walk today.d heartaches Krasny acribes to this past life resonates clearly, an affirmation of our shared humanity.

[Elaine Yankey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t Wait For the Sequel

By modern standards, living conditions and methods 5,000 years ago were primitive, but basic human needs for food, water, and shelter remain the same and so do human emotions of love, hate, and jealousy. As the characters experience and act on those emotions, the story ends and we are left still wondering. Who is Ice Man? Why did he die? Why was he left alone on the mountainside? Sharon has promised a sequel. Will it reveal the answers to our questions? I hope so!

[Patricia Gulley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author's notes in the beginning of the book about the research over the last 34 years was very interesting. The fictional story of Otzi called Gaspare, had all the research added in as background of a people 5000 years ago. This first book isn't really the mystery I had expected, more a day to day of a young man life with a lot of ritual and hardship to face. It is estimated Otzi died at the age of about 45, in this book he is only thirteen. There are a few more books in the series. I found the book tedious to read.

[Natalie Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the humanity of the story. Set in a time thousands of years ago it shows though so much time separates us from the main character and those in his life , he faced and endured many things we do today,our moral compass, betrayal , love of family, broken dreams and understanding life. A excellent read ,I believe this would make a great movie. Can't wait for the next book to see how the story unfolds

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the story of Otzi. So full of mystery and suspense. Sharon Krasny gives Otzi a voice. A story to go along with his tragic death, that came too soon.

Who is Otzi the Ice Man? How did he die? What was his life like?

Well here you go, this is the story of Gaspare/Otzi as he grows and learns of life's trials and hurtles. Krasny puts us in the story and makes us part of it. The richness of the story and tapestry that it creates, keeps you hooked and yearning for more.

[Errol Blakeney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating story about what may be the first known murders in history. This book has you hooked before the end of the first chapter. Historically accurate and an excellent read leaving you wanting to know what happens next in the Iceman's life. The author's style of writing is eloquently descriptive and keeps you engaged and wanting more.